Leni Paul

About Leni Paul

Get
Future-Ready

Planning ahead is one of the most important things an NRI family can do. Leni Paul is an advocate enrolled with the Kerala Bar Council, practising in Wills, Trusts, and succession law for Non-Resident Indians. Based in Cochin, Kerala, she accepts instructions from clients across the world on matters governed by Indian succession law.

Enrolment No.

K-1566/2001

Date of Enrolment

31 December 2001

State Bar Council

Kerala Bar Council

Office

Cochin, Kerala

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Areas of Practice

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Will Drafting &
Succession Planning

Drafting of Wills under the Indian Succession Act, 1925 and applicable personal laws for NRI families.

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Trust
Formation

Preparation of trust deeds under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 for asset protection and family arrangements.

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NRI Succession
Matters

Advice on succession of Indian assets by Non-Resident Indians, including estate administration in India.

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This information is provided for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice or a solicitation of work.

General Information

NRI
Succession
Law

Applicable Law

Assets in India are governed by Indian succession law regardless of where the owner resides. The Indian Succession Act, 1925 applies to most non-Hindu, non-Muslim NRIs; personal laws apply to Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Jain individuals.

Execution from Abroad

A Will can be validly executed outside India. It must be signed before two witnesses and, depending on the country, attested by a Notary Public or the Indian Consulate.

Registration

Registration of a Will is not compulsory under Indian law but is strongly advisable. A registered Will is kept on public record and is significantly harder to challenge.

Intestate Succession

If an NRI dies without a Will, Indian assets are distributed under applicable personal law. The family must obtain a Succession Certificate or Letters of Administration from an Indian court — a process that can be lengthy.

General Information

Common
Questions

General information about NRI succession and Will matters under Indian law. This is not legal advice.

Yes. A Will executed outside India is valid under Indian law if it complies with the formalities of Indian law or the law of the country where it is signed. NRIs typically sign before two witnesses and have the document attested by a Notary Public or Indian Consulate.

Assets in India are governed by Indian succession law regardless of where the owner resides. The Indian Succession Act, 1925 applies to Christians and Parsis; the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 applies to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains.

Registration is not mandatory under Indian law but is strongly advisable. A registered Will is held on public record at the Sub-Registrar's office and is considerably more difficult to challenge.

Probate is mandatory in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai for immovable property. In other states it is generally not compulsory but may be required by banks before releasing assets.

Indian assets are distributed under applicable personal law. The family must obtain a Succession Certificate or Letters of Administration from an Indian court — a process that can be lengthy and costly for families abroad.