In brief

Different institutions may need different evidence to release or transfer assets. You do not need to settle the entire estate in the first few days.

Start with India Code: Indian Succession Act, 1925 (opens in a new tab)

Choose your Indian state

Your next steps

0 of 5 steps complete · Next: Arrange local practical support

  1. Obtain the official death record

    Check the local registration process and retain the required copies and acknowledgements.

  2. Locate the estate documents

    Find wills, nominations, account details, ownership papers and existing professional contacts.

  3. Notify institutions through official channels

    Ask each bank, insurer and employer how to make a claim after a death. Keep a contact log.

  4. Resolve authority before distributions

    Ask a succession lawyer who may administer the assets and what must happen before transfers are made.

Suggested preparation sequence. Your authority may require a different order. Progress stays on this device.

What to have ready

0 of 4 prepared

Keep documents in your own secure records. Tick what you have; nothing is uploaded.

Official services for this task

Certificate and application routes depend on the state, district and issuing authority. Choose the location in the service register before using a local procedure.

Find government services, forms and local offices

Selected coverage; source access and geographic limits are shown on each entry.

Questions to take to an adviser

  • Who has authority to administer this asset?
  • What original or certified documents are required?
  • Which deadlines, liabilities or disputed claims need attention?
Pause if you hear thisDo not use the deceased person’s passwords or sign as them to move funds.

Who can help

A local succession lawyer; the relevant institutions and a CA for filing questions.

Check an adviser before paying or signing
Claims, exceptions and the supporting evidence

Check what you may have heard

Source review: 5 September 2026 · Rules may change after this date.

UnsupportedWills & inheritance

NRIs lose up to 5% of inherited property value, and the cost is 100% avoidable.

No government basis was established for either percentage. ₹50 lakh on a ₹10 crore estate is an illustrative calculation, not a statutory fee. Ask for separately evidenced court charges, registration charges, professional fees and travel costs.

Income Tax Department statutory library · Registration Act, 1908: Section 18 ↗Delhi High Court · Succession certificates: debts and securities ↗
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Sources & review limits

Published by NRIdisha. Prepared with AI assistance. No individual author or qualified professional reviewer is credited for this guide.

Editorial standards, coverage and corrections

Official sources support the statements they address. They do not certify this guide or your eligibility. Open the source and check current amendments before acting.

Ministry of External Affairs (opens in a new tab) · India Code (opens in a new tab)

India CodeIndian Succession Act, 1925 (opens in a new tab)

Statutory starting point. Applicability, amendments and personal law need case-specific confirmation.

Source access limit Listed in the official search index; full text was not retrievable during preparation.

Correction or missing context?

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