Tell us where the deceased lived and what assets are involved, and our team will call you back.

• Claiming family pension, provident fund and gratuity of the deceased

• Insurance claims and settlement of dues

• Transfer of electricity, water, gas and telephone connections

• Mutation of property records in the names of the heirs

• Compassionate appointment in government service

• Proving relationship before banks, courts and authorities

A legal heir certificate identifies who the heirs are; it is issued by the revenue department after a local inquiry.

A succession certificate gives the holder authority to collect debts and securities, and protects the payer who pays on it.

Banks and companies often ask for a succession certificate for larger amounts or where there is no nominee.

Neither certificate by itself decides title to immovable property — a will, partition or court decree may still be needed.

Where there is a will, probate or letters of administration may be required instead.

Appoint a trusted person in India through a Power of Attorney to file and follow up the application.

A Power of Attorney or affidavit signed abroad usually needs attestation at the Indian Embassy or Consulate, or an apostille, and stamping in India.

Submit the death certificate, proof of relationship and identity documents of all heirs.

The revenue officer may conduct a local inquiry and, in some states, publish a public notice inviting objections.

For a succession certificate or probate, the court issues notice, and the petition can usually be handled by your advocate.

• Different spellings of names in passports, certificates and records

• A death that took place abroad, with a foreign death certificate

• One heir refusing to sign or objecting to the application

• Heirs left out of a certificate already issued

• Delays at the Tahsildar or revenue office

• Banks or companies asking for a court certificate instead

1. Consultation on the assets, the state and the certificate needed.

2. List of documents and drafting of the application or petition.

3. Power of Attorney and attestation guidance if you are abroad.

4. Filing, local inquiry or court hearings, and responding to objections.

5. Collecting the certificate and using it to claim assets or update records.

• Death certificate of the deceased

• Proof of relationship — birth or marriage certificates

• Passport / OCI and ID of each heir

• Address proof of the deceased

• Details of bank accounts, property and other assets

• Will, if any, and any nomination records