Brothers

Support your sisters in claiming their share in the inheritance. Promote harmony in your family while building a stronger and fairer nation.

Indian legal system provides equal inheritance rights to the daughters

For a brighter and more equitable future for your family, it is essential to support all your siblings, especially your sister(s), in claiming their rightful inheritance. Remember that sisters have the same legal rights to inheritance as brothers. Initiate open and respectful conversation with your parents, other siblings, and relatives about the importance of giving equal inheritance rights to your sister(s). Encourage your sister(s) to stand up against social norms and assert their rights to inheritance. Offer your support and understanding during this process, as it may not be easy for them. Plan your career and financial decisions in a way that you and your family are not overly dependent on the inheritance. This ensures that the distribution of assets does not become a source of tension or conflict within the family. By supporting your sister(s) in claiming their inheritance, you play a crucial role in building a more equitable and harmonious community for generations to come.i

This page has information about the legal inheritance rights of girls and guidance about creating awareness of those rights among your friends and family members.

Legal Context

According to Section 6(3) of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, a deceased coparcener’s stake in the Hindu Undivided Family’s (HUF) assets passes through testamentary or intestate succession. The key points to consider in this devolution are:

  1. Daughters should receive the same share as sons in the distribution of assets.
  2. If a woman coparcener (daughter) has predeceased, her share will be inherited by her surviving child, in the same manner, it would have been if she were alive.
  3. If a child (son or daughter) has predeceased, their share will be distributed to their child (grandchild) in the same manner as if the predeceased mother coparcener were living.

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In the case of Danamma v. Amar Singh (2018), the Supreme Court ruled that Section 6 of the Act affects the devolution of coparcenary property retroactively. This means that irrespective of whether the father passed away before or after the 2005 Amendment, daughters are considered coparceners and have equal rights in the HUF’s assets. The case established that daughters cannot be excluded from claiming their rightful share in ancestral property based on their gender or birth date.

Indian Mindset

Legal protections are not enough to prevent unfair inheritance practices in India, which are still heavily influenced by deep-rooted societal norms. Regrettably, parents often prioritize sons over daughters, operating under the assumption that girls will cease to be part of the family once they marry. Another prevailing belief is that girls receive their inheritance through dowry and gifts to their family after marriage. However, the stark reality is that these dowries and gifts seldom equate to the rightful share of the inheritance. Consequently, this ingrained mindset places girls at a significant disadvantage right from the outset of their lives.

How you can contribute

Support us on Social Media

Follow, like and share us on social media, such as Instagram and Facebook to create awareness of the mission.

Talk about your inheritance

Start a discussion about your inheritance with your friends and family members. Share links of this website with them.

Sign the Pledge

As a family sign the RY Pledge to give equal inheritance rights to daughter(s) and son(s) of the family.