How to Make a Will in India: A Comprehensive and Assured Guide (2025)

In a world where everything is changing, we need to plan for the future. One big part of this is making a will. A will is not just a piece of paper; it’s like a shield for the people you love. It ensures your money and belongings go to the right people when you are not around. This guide will help you understand how to make a will in India. We will explain how to make a will in india, why it’s so important and how to do it yourself or register it online without a lawyer.

Why a Will is Important

Even if you don’t have a lot of money, not having a will can cause big problems for your family after you’re gone. Without a will, it can be a real mess to decide who gets what. This can lead to arguments, hurt feelings and even financial trouble for your loved ones.

Imagine how stressful it would be for your family if you didn’t have a will. They might have to go to court, face money problems or end up with things you wouldn’t want them to have.

Making a proper will ensures your things go to the people you want them to go to. It avoids arguments and clearly tells everyone what to do with your stuff. This stops the government from deciding what happens to your stuff which can be unfair.

Steps on how to Make a Will in India

An infographic illustrating the steps to create a will in India. The steps are: List Your Assets, Decide Beneficiaries, Appoint an Executor, Draft the Will, Sign the Will, and Register the Will.

Step 1. List Your Assets

Start by making a complete list of all your assets. This includes:

  • Real Estate: Land, apartments, commercial properties.
  • Bank Accounts: Savings, fixed deposits, recurring deposits.
  • Investments: Mutual funds, shares, bonds.
  • Insurance Policies: Life, health, and property insurance.
  • Personal Belongings: Jewelry, vehicles, and other valuable items.

Example: Mr. Ravi, a businessman, listed his house, office space, bank accounts and investments, so that nothing was left out.

Step 2. Choose Your Beneficiaries

Decide who will get your assets. Beneficiaries can be family members, friends or even charitable organizations.

Example: Ravi chose his wife, two children, and a local orphanage as his beneficiaries.

Step 3. Appoint an Executor

Choose a person you trust to execute your will. The executor will make sure your wishes are fulfilled and the assets are distributed correctly. Choose someone who is reliable and knows what you want.

Example: Ravi nominated his friend Mr. Kiran as the executor of his will.

Step 4. Draft the Will

Next step is to put your wishes down on paper. Your will should be clear and concise, stating exactly how you want to distribute your assets. You can write your will in your own handwriting or type it out.

FeatureHandwritten WillTyped Will
Legal ValidityValid if signed by testator and witnessedSame legal validity as handwritten wills
ClarityRisk of unclear handwritingClear and easy to read
ModificationRequires re-writingEasier to edit

Example: Ravi typed out his will, clearly stating each asset to each beneficiary.

Step 5. Witnesses and Execution

Another important step in validating your will is to have it signed by at least two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. This step is for authenticity and legality.

Example: Ravi had his will signed by two colleagues who were not beneficiaries.

Step 6. Register the Will

Not mandatory but recommended. Registering your will with the Sub-Registrar adds an extra layer of security and can be retrieved and verified if needed.

ProsCons
Legal recognitionAdditional cost
Prevents tamperingRequires time
Easy retrievalFormal process

Example: Ravi registered his will so that it is legally valid and easily readable.

Sample Will Template

Declaration and appointment of Executor

Declaration	

I, [Your Full Name], aged [Your Age] years (occupation: [Your Occupation]), hereby write my final will. Any wills written previously are revoked under the law of India. I am writing this will freely and under no duress. I am of sound mental and physical health and capable of comprehending what I write in this will.

Executor Appointment	

I appoint [Executor's Full Name], residing at [Executor's Address], as the trustee and executor of my will.

Details of My Assets

Asset Type

Property	One 2BHK flat located at [Full Address], with an area of [Size] sq. ft., purchased on [Date] for [Value].

Bank Deposits	

Cash of [Amount] in my Fixed Deposit at [Bank Name], [Branch Name].
Investments	[Number] units of [Mutual Fund Name] and [Number] shares of [Company Name] in my demat account.

Document Location	

All documents related to the above assets are kept in [Location, e.g., SBI Bank Locker, Branch Name].

Distribution of My Assets

Asset

Property	The flat at [Address] shall be given to my [Relation, e.g., Wife, Name], whose date of birth is [DOB], and she resides at [Address].

Bank Deposits
 
 	The cash in my Fixed Deposit shall be divided equally among my children:
	- [Child 1's Name], whose date of birth is [DOB], and resides at [Address].
	- [Child 2's Name], whose date of birth is [DOB], and resides at [Address].

Investments	

The mutual funds and shares shall also be divided equally among my children as specified above.

Signatures

I sign this will of my own free will, without any undue influence or coercion.
We, the undersigned, declare that [Your Full Name] signed this will in our presence, and we attest to the same.

Role	        Name	                        Address	                        Signature	                        Date
Testator	        [Your Full Name]	        [Your Address]	        [Your Signature]	                [Date]
Witness 1	[Witness 1's Name]	[Witness 1's Address]	[Witness 1's Signature]	[Date]
Witness 2	[Witness 2's Name]	[Witness 2's Address]	[Witness 2's Signature]	[Date]



Online Will Registration in India

Registering your will online has become a very popular and convenient option. Online services provide a secure platform to draft and register your will so that it is legally binding and easily readable. Here’s how you can register your will online and know how to make a will in india:

An illustration of a lawyer with a scale, holding a tablet, with two people looking at the screen. The text "ONLINE WILL REGISTRATION IN INDIA" is displayed above. Below, there is text stating that online services provide a secure platform to draft and register your will.

Step 1: Choose a Reliable Online Service

Select a good online service provider who specializes in will registration. Some popular services in India are WillJini.

Example: Ravi chose WillJini for its easy to use interface and good ratings.

Step 2: Fill Out Their Application Form

Fill the application form with your personal details, asset information and beneficiary details. Most services have a guided process to help you through each step.

Example: Ravi filled the form carefully, made sure everything was correct.

RequirementDetails Needed
Personal InformationName, DOB, Address
Asset DetailsProperties, bank accounts, investments
Beneficiary InfoNames, relations, percentages/partition of assets
Executor InfoName, relation, responsibilities

Step 3: Review and Upload Your Will

Once you fill the form, preview your will and upload. Make sure everything is correct and no mistakes.

Example: Ravi checked his will twice before uploading it to the online service.

Step 4: Make Payment

Most online services require a fee for their services. Make the payment to complete the registration process.

Example: Ravi paid the fee online, which was nominal compared to the convenience provided.

Step 5: Verification and Compliance

The service provider will verify your details and ensure that the will complies with all legal requirements. Once verified, your will is securely stored and can be accessed as needed.

Example: Ravi received confirmation from WillJini. that his will was successfully registered and stored securely.

Creating a Will Without a Lawyer in India

Creating a will without a lawyer is not only cheap but also easy with some guidance. Here’s how you can know how to make will in India:

An infographic comparing handwritten wills and typed wills in India. It highlights the legal validity, clarity, and ease of modification for each type.

Step 1: Research and Gather Information

Educate yourself about the legal requirements and format of a will. There are many resources online that can help you with that.

Example: Ravi searched many legal websites and blogs to know about will creation.

Step 2: Use Sample Templates

Use sample will templates as per Indian laws. These templates will give you a base and make sure you include all the clauses. You can download the sample template here in pdf format.
You can download the sample template here in word format.

Example: Ravi downloaded a sample from a legal website.

Step 3: Drafting the Will

Using the information you’ve collected and the templates, write your will. Make sure to include the necessary clauses and use clear language

Clauses to IncludePurpose
Revocation of previous willsEnsures no conflicts with past wills
Executor detailsSpecifies who will manage the estate
Guardianship (if applicable)Names guardians for minor children
Specific bequestsDetails specific items or amounts given to beneficiaries
Residual clauseDistributes any remaining assets

Example: Ravi wrote his will and checked everything was in order and went as per his wish.

Step 4: Witnesses and Signatures

Sign your will in front of at least two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. This is the most important step for legal validation of your will.

Example: Ravi got his neighbors who were not beneficiaries to sign as witnesses.

Step 5: Safekeeping

Keep your will safe and inform your executor and beneficiaries about the location. You can also keep a copy with a trusted friend/relative or deposit it in a bank locker.

Example: Ravi kept his will in a safe drawer and informed his executor and family about the location.

Real-Life Case Studies

Case Study 1: Mr. Rajesh from Mumbai

Mr. Rajesh, a retired teacher, wrote his will without a lawyer. He followed these steps:

  • Listed Assets: House, car, bank balance, ancestral land.
  • Chosen Beneficiaries: Split his assets between his two sons and a charitable trust.
  • Appointed an Executor: Chose his trusted friend, Mr. Anil, as executor.
  • Drafted the Will: Clearly stated the distribution of assets.
  • Signed with Witnesses: Neighbors signed as witnesses.
  • Registered the Will: Registered with the Sub-Registrar’s office.

Case Study 2: Mrs. Meera from Bangalore

Mrs. Meera, a businesswoman, used an online service for her will:

  • Selected Service: Chose ezeeWill.
  • Filled Application Form: Provided necessary details.
  • Uploaded Draft Will: Carefully reviewed and submitted.
  • Paid Fee: Completed through online payment.
  • Received Verification: Confirmation of successful registration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best of intentions, we all make mistakes. Here are some to watch out for to know how to make a will in India :

An infographic illustrating common mistakes to avoid when creating a will. The mistakes listed are: ambiguous language, not updating the will, not informing the executor and beneficiaries, and ignoring legal formalities.

1. Ambiguous Language

Unclear or vague language can lead to misinterpretations. Be specific and leave no room for doubt.

Example: Example: Instead of writing “I leave my house to my children,” write “I leave my house at [Address] to my two children, [Child A] and [Child B], equally”.

2. Not Updating the Will

An old will can create problems if there are changes in your life like birth of a child, marriage or acquisition of new assets.

Example: Mrs. Patel did not update her will after acquiring a new property and had to go through a long legal process to include it in her estate.

3. Not Informing the Executor and Beneficiaries

Not telling your executor and beneficiaries about your will can create confusion and delay your wishes.

Example: Mr. Verma’s executor was not aware of his role and there was a dispute and delay in distribution of assets.

Ignoring legal formalities like having valid witnesses can invalidate your will.

Example: Ms. Das’s will was challenged because the witnesses did not meet the legal requirements and there was a long legal battle.

Changing Your Will

An infographic illustrating the three steps to change your will: Step 1: Review Your Current Will; Step 2: Make a Codicil; Step 3: Create a New Will. Each step is represented by an icon and a brief description.

It is necessary to review and update your will periodically to reflect changes in your life. Here’s how you can change your will:

Step 1: Review Your Current Will

Read your current will carefully to see what needs to be updated or changed.

Example: Mr. Sharma reviewed his will every few years and made changes as new assets came in and relationships changed.

Step 2: Make a Codicil

A codicil is a legal document that allows you to make changes to your existing will without rewriting the whole will. Make sure the codicil is signed and witnessed in the same way as the original will.

Example: Mrs. Rani added a codicil to her will to include a new property and her original will was still valid.

Step 3: Create a New Will

If there are many changes, it’s better to draft a new will. Mention in your new will that it revokes all previous wills and codicils.

Example: Mr. Gupta wrote a new will that included all his updated wishes and assets and revoked his previous will.

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Conclusion

Making a will in India is a simple process that will give you and your loved ones peace of mind. Follow the steps in this post and ensure your assets are distributed as you want, minimize the chances of disputes and secure your family’s future. Whether you choose to draft it yourself, use an online service or consult a lawyer, take this step and secure your legacy.

Remember a well drafted will is not just a legal document; it’s a testimony to the people you care about the most in your life. Start now and take control of your estate’s future.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it necessary to register a will in India ?

No, it’s not compulsory to register a will in India. But registering your will can give you extra security and prevent future disputes.

Can a will be challenged ?

Yes, a will can be challenged in court on grounds of lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence or fraud. Properly drafting and witnessing your will can reduce the chances of it being contested.

What happens if I die without a will ?

If you die without a will (intestate), your assets will be distributed as per the intestacy laws of India which may not be in accordance with your wishes.

Can I make changes to my will ?

Yes, you can change your will by adding a codicil or writing a new will. Make sure any changes are in accordance with legal requirements to remain valid.

Do I need a lawyer to draft a will in India ?

No, you can make a will without a lawyer. But taking legal advice can ensure your will meets all legal requirements and conveys your wishes.

At Cashintellect, We realize how difficult it can be to navigate the complex world of finance. As a result, we attempt to produce user-friendly, actionable material that cuts through the jargon and provides our readers with useful insights.

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