Law4u - Made in India

What are the legal requirements for creating a valid will or trust in India?

14-Mar-2023
Wills Trusts

Answer By law4u team

In India, the legal requirements for creating a valid will and trust are as follows: Requirements for creating a valid will: Testamentary capacity: The person creating the will, known as the testator, must be of sound mind and capable of understanding the nature and effect of their actions. Voluntariness: The testator must create the will voluntarily without any pressure or coercion. In writing: The will must be in writing, either handwritten or typed, and signed by the testator or by someone else on their behalf in their presence and under their direction. Witnessed: The will must be witnessed by at least two persons who are not beneficiaries under the will. The witnesses must sign the will in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each other. Clear and unambiguous: The terms of the will must be clear and unambiguous, leaving no doubt as to the testator's intentions. Revocation: The testator has the right to revoke or alter the will at any time during their lifetime. Requirements for creating a valid trust: Settlor: The person who creates the trust is known as the settlor. The settlor must be competent to make the trust, and must be of sound mind. Trust Property: The settlor must transfer the property to be held in trust to the trustee. The property must be capable of being transferred and the transfer must be valid in law. Trustee: The trustee is the person who is responsible for managing the trust property and administering the trust in accordance with the terms of the trust deed. The trustee must be competent to hold the trust property and must be willing to undertake the responsibilities of a trustee. Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries are the persons who are entitled to the benefits of the trust property. The beneficiaries must be ascertainable at the time of creation of the trust. Trust Deed: A trust must be created by a trust deed. The trust deed must specify the terms and conditions of the trust, the powers and duties of the trustee, and the rights and obligations of the beneficiaries. Registration: A trust can be registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, but registration is not mandatory. However, registration provides certain benefits, such as better protection of the trust property and the ability to sue in court. It is important to note that the legal requirements for creating a valid will or trust may vary depending on the specific laws and regulations of the state or region in which the will or trust is being created. It is advisable to consult with a qualified legal professional to ensure compliance with all applicable legal requirements.

Answer By Ayantika Mondal

Dear Client, In India, a valid will has to satisfy a few essential requirements under the Indian Succession Act, 1925. The testator has to be an adult of sound mind who acts voluntarily without any coercion or fraud.The will should be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by at least two witnesses who witness the testator signing it. A trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 also has to comply with some principles.The settlor should be capable, the purpose of the trust must be legal and definite, and there has to be specific trust property and ascertainable beneficiaries. The deed of the trust has to be in writing and, in case immovable property is involved, it must be registered. I hope this answer helps. In case of future queries, please feel free to contact us. Thank you.

Wills Trusts Verified Advocates

Get expert legal advice instantly.

Advocate Anil Yadav

Advocate Anil Yadav

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Banking & Finance, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Documentation, Domestic Violence, Family, Immigration, Insurance, Labour & Service, Landlord & Tenant, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, NCLT, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, Succession Certificate, Trademark & Copyright, Wills Trusts, Revenue

Get Advice
Advocate Mohd Jakir Hussain

Advocate Mohd Jakir Hussain

Property, R.T.I, Cheque Bounce, Court Marriage, High Court, Anticipatory Bail, Criminal, Divorce, Insurance, Muslim Law, Wills Trusts, Cyber Crime, Media and Entertainment, Motor Accident

Get Advice
Advocate A R Qureshi

Advocate A R Qureshi

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Civil, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Family, Insurance, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Property, Recovery, RERA, Succession Certificate, Wills Trusts, Revenue

Get Advice
Advocate Swati

Advocate Swati

Civil, Criminal, Domestic Violence, Cheque Bounce, Consumer Court, Divorce, Family, High Court, Landlord & Tenant, Labour & Service, Anticipatory Bail, Breach of Contract, Documentation, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Succession Certificate, Wills Trusts, Child Custody, Court Marriage

Get Advice
Advocate Yogesh Share

Advocate Yogesh Share

Cyber Crime, Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Armed Forces Tribunal, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Banking & Finance, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Corporate, Consumer Court, Breach of Contract, Civil, Customs & Central Excise, Criminal, GST, Domestic Violence, Insurance, Immigration, Documentation, High Court, Family, Divorce, International Law, Labour & Service, Media and Entertainment, Landlord & Tenant, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Recovery, R.T.I, Property, Patent, NCLT, RERA, Startup, Succession Certificate, Tax, Trademark & Copyright, Supreme Court, Revenue, Wills Trusts

Get Advice
Advocate Dr Rajiv Basant Chaudhary

Advocate Dr Rajiv Basant Chaudhary

Criminal, Cheque Bounce, Domestic Violence, Divorce, Succession Certificate, Wills Trusts, High Court, Civil, Arbitration, Anticipatory Bail, Property, Recovery, Landlord & Tenant, Cyber Crime, Corporate, Child Custody

Get Advice
Advocate Ashish Panwar

Advocate Ashish Panwar

Anticipatory Bail, Armed Forces Tribunal, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Breach of Contract, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Corporate, Court Marriage, Customs & Central Excise, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Documentation, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, International Law, Motor Accident, NCLT, Patent, R.T.I, RERA, Supreme Court, Trademark & Copyright, Wills Trusts, Cheque Bounce, GST, Labour & Service, Property, Insurance

Get Advice
Advocate Pavitra Singh Sindhu

Advocate Pavitra Singh Sindhu

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Banking & Finance, Cheque Bounce, Consumer Court, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Corporate, Civil, Court Marriage, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Customs & Central Excise, Domestic Violence, High Court, Family, Insurance, Labour & Service, Immigration, International Law, Media and Entertainment, Motor Accident, NCLT, R.T.I, RERA, Property, Succession Certificate, Supreme Court, Wills Trusts, Revenue, Tax, Trademark & Copyright, Recovery, Breach of Contract, Documentation

Get Advice
Advocate Deepinder Kumar

Advocate Deepinder Kumar

Anticipatory Bail, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Criminal, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Family, Insurance, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, Property, Recovery, Succession Certificate, Supreme Court, Wills Trusts, Revenue

Get Advice
Advocate Mohit Kumar Sharma

Advocate Mohit Kumar Sharma

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Civil, Court Marriage, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Documentation, Domestic Violence, Family, Landlord & Tenant, Motor Accident, Property, R.T.I, Wills Trusts, Revenue

Get Advice

Wills Trusts Related Questions

Discover clear and detailed answers to common questions about Breach of Contract. Learn about procedures and more in straightforward language.