PART VIII REPRESENTATIVE TITLE TO PROPERTY OF DECEASED ON SUCCESSION

PART VIII REPRESENTATIVE TITLE TO PROPERTY OF DECEASED ON SUCCESSION

211. Character and property of executor or administrator as such.

211. Character and property of executor or administrator as such.- (1) The executor or administrator, as the case may be, of a deceased person is his legal representative for all purposes, and all the property of the deceased person vests in him as such. (2) When the deceased was a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, 1*[Jaina or Parsi] or an exempted person, nothing herein contained shall vest in an executor or administrator any property of the deceased person which would otherwise have passed by survivorship to some other person.

212. Right to intestate's property.-(1) No right to any part of the property of a person who has died intestate can be established in any Court of Justice, unless letters of administration have first been granted by a Court of competent jurisdiction. (2) This section shall not apply in the case of the intestacy of a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, Jaina, 2*[Indian Christian or Parsi].

213. Right as executor or legatee when established.-(1) No right as executor or legatee can be established in any Court of Justice, unless a Court of competent jurisdiction in 3*[India] has granted probate of the will under which the right is claimed, or has granted letters of administration with the will or with a copy of an authenticated copy of the will annexed. 4*[(2) This section shall not apply in the case of wills made by Muhammadans, and shall only apply-- (i) in the case of wills made by any Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina where such wills are of the classes specified in clauses (a) and (b) of section 57; and --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 16 of 1962, s. 2, for "or Jaina". 2 Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for "or Indian Christian". 3 Subs. by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch., for "the States". 4 Subs. by Act 16 of 1962, s. 4, for sub-section (2). --------------------------------------------------------------------- A (ii) in the case of wills made by any Parsi dying, after the commencement of the Indian Succession (Amendment) Act, 1962, (16 of 1962.) where such wills are made within the local limits of the 1*[ordinary original civil jurisdiction] of the High Courts at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay, and where such wills are made outside those limits, in so far as they relate to immovable property situate within those limits.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 52 of 1964, s. 3 and Sch. II, for "ordinary civil jurisdiction". ---------------------------------------------------------------------

214. Proof of representative title a condition precedent to recovery through the Courts of debts from debtors of deceased persons.

214. Proof of representative title a condition precedent to recovery through the Courts of debts from debtors of deceased persons.-(1) No Court shall-- (a) pass a decree against a debtor of a deceased person for payment of his debt to a person claiming on succession to be entitled to the effects of the deceased person or to any part thereof, or (b) proceed, upon an application of a person claiming to be so entitled, to execute against such a debtor a decree or order for the payment of his debt, except on the production, by the person so claiming of-- (i) a probate or letters of administration evidencing the grant to him of administration to the estate of the deceased, or (ii) a certificate granted under section 31 or section 32 of the Administrator General's Act, 1913, (3 of 1913.) and having the debt mentioned therein, or (iii) a succession certificate granted under Part X and having the debt specified therein, or (iv) a certificate granted under the Succession Certificate Act, 1889 1*, (7 of 1889.) or (v) a certificate granted under Bombay Regulation No. VIII of 1827, and, if granted after the first day of May, 1889, having the debt specified therein. (2) The word "debt" in sub-section (1) includes any debt except rent, revenue or profits payable in respect of land used for agricultural purposes.

215. Effection certificate of subsequent probate or letters of administration.

215. Effection certificate of subsequent probate or letters of administration.-(1) A grant of probate or letters of administration in respect of an estate shall be deemed to supersede any certificate previously granted under Part X or under the Succession Certificate Act, 18891* (7 of 1889), or Bombay Regulation No. VIII of 1827, in respect of any debts or securities included in the estate. (2) When at the time of the grant of the probate or letters any suit or other proceeding instituted by the holder of any such certificate regarding any such debt or security is pending, the person to whom the grant is made shall, on applying to the Court in which the suit or proceeding is pending, be entitled to take the place of the holder of the certificate in the suit or proceeding: --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Rep. partly by Act 39 of 1925, and finally by Act 1 of 1938. 128 Provided that, when any certificate is superseded under this section, all payments made to the holder of such certificate in ignorance of such supersession shall be held good against claims under the probate or letters of administration.

216. Grantee of probate or administration alone to sue, etc., until same revoked.

216. Grantee of probate or administration alone to sue, etc., until same revoked.-After any grant of probate or letters of administration, no other than the person to whom the same may have been granted shall have power to sue or prosecute any suit, or otherwise act as representative of the deceased, throughout the State in which the same may have been granted, until such probate or letters of administration has or have been recalled or revoked.

PART IX PROBATE, LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF ASSETS OF DECEASED

PART IX PROBATE, LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF ASSETS OF DECEASED

217. Application of Part.-Save as otherwise provided by this Act or by any other law for the time being in force, all grants of probate and letters of administration with the will annexed and the administration of the assets of the deceased in cases of intestate succession shall be made or carried out, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this Part.

218. To whom administration may be granted, where deceased is a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, Jaina or exempted person.

218. To whom administration may be granted, where deceased is a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, Jaina or exempted person.-(1) If the deceased has died intestate and was a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person, administration of his estate may be granted to any person who, according to the rules for the distribution of the estate applicable in the case of such deceased, would be entitled to the whole or any part of such deceased's estate. (2) When several such persons apply for such administration, it shall be in the discretion of the Court to grant it to any one or more of them. (3) When no such person applies, it may be granted to a creditor of the deceased.

219. Where deceased is not a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, Jaina or exempted person.

219. Where deceased is not a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, Jaina or exempted person.-If the deceased has died intestate and was not a person belonging to any of the classes referred to in section 218, those who are connected with him, either by marriage or by consanguinity, are entitled to obtain letters of administration of his estate and effects in the order and according to the rules hereinafter stated, namely:-- (a) If the deceased has left a widow, administration shall be granted to the widow, unless the Court sees cause to exclude her, either on the ground of some personal disqualification, or because she has no interest in the estate of the deceased. Illustrations (i) The widow is a lunatic or has committed adultery or has been barred by her marriage settlement of all interest in her husband's estate. There is cause for excluding her from the administration. (ii) The widow has married again since the decease of her husband. This is not good cause for her exclusion. (b) If the Judge thinks proper, he may associate any person or persons with the widow in the administration who would be entitled solely to the administration if there were no widow. (c) If there is no widow, or if the Court sees cause to exclude the widow, it shall commit the administration to the person or persons who would be beneficially entitled to the estate according to the rules for the distribution of an intestate's estate: Provided that, when the mother of the deceased is one of the class of persons so entitled, she shall be solely entitled to administration. (d) Those who stand in equal degree of kindred to the deceased are equally entitled to administration. (e) The husband surviving his wife has the same right of administration of her estate as the widow has in respect of the estate of her husband. (f) When there is no person connected with the deceased by marriage or consanguinity who is entitled to letters of administration and willing to act, they may be granted to a creditor. 130 (g) Where the deceased has left property in 1*[India], letters of administration shall be granted according to the foregoing rules, notwithstanding that he had his domicile in a country in which the law relating to testate and intestate succession differs from the law of 1*[India].

220. Effect of letters of administration.-Letters of administration entitle the administrator to all rights belonging to the intestate as effectually as if the administration had been granted at the moment after his death.

221. Acts not validated by administration.-Letters of administration do not render valid any intermediate acts of the administrator tending to the diminution or damage of the intestate's estate.

222. Probate only to appointed executor.-(1) Probate shall be granted only to an executor appointed by the will. (2) The appointment may be expressed or by necessary implication. Illustrations (i) A wills that C be his executor if B will not. B is appointed executor by implication. (ii) A gives a legacy to B and several legacies to other persons, among the rest to his daughter-in-law C, and adds "but should the within-named C be not living I do constitute and appoint B my whole and sole executrix". C is appointed executrix by implication. (iii) A appoints several persons executors of his will and codicils and his nephew residuary legatee, and in another codicil are these words,--"I appoint my nephew my residuary legatee to discharge all lawful demands against my will and codicils signed of different dates". The nephew is appointed an executor by implication.

223. Persons to whom probate cannot be granted.-Probate cannot be granted to any person who is a minor or is of unsound mind 2*[nor to any association of individuals unless it is a company which satisfies the conditions prescribed by rules to be made 4*[, by notification in the Official Gazette] by the 3*[State Government] in this behalf]. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch., for "the States". 2 Added by Act 17 of 1931, s. 2. The words "nor, unless the deceased was a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person, to a married woman without the previous consent of her husband" which originally occurred at the end of this section had been omitted by Act 18 of 1927, s. 2. 3 The words "G. G. in C." have been successively amended by the A. O. 1937 and the A. O. 1950 to read as above. 4 Ins. by Act 20 of 1983, s. 2 & Sch. (w.e.f. 15-3-1984).

224. Grant of probate to several executors simultaneously or at different times.

224. Grant of probate to several executors simultaneously or at different times.-When several executors are appointed, probate may be granted to them all simultaneously or at different times. Illustration A is an executor of B's will by express appointment and C an executor of it by implication. Probate may be granted to A and C at the same time or to A first and then to C, or to C first and then to A.

225. Separate probate of codicil discovered after grant of probate.

225. Separate probate of codicil discovered after grant of probate.-(1) If a codicil is discovered after the grant of probate, a separate probate of that codicil may be granted to the executor, if it in no way repeals the appointment of executors made by the will. (2) If different executors are appointed by the codicil, the probate of the will shall be revoked, and a new probate granted of the will and the codicil together.

226. Accrual of representation to surviving executor.-When probate has been granted to several executors, and one of them dies, the entire representation of the testator accrues to the surviving executor or executors.

227. Effect of probate.-Probate of a will when granted established the will from the death of the testator, and renders valid all intermediate acts of the executor as such.

228. Administration, with copy annexed, of authenticated copy of will proved abroad.

228. Administration, with copy annexed, of authenticated copy of will proved abroad.-When a will has been proved and deposited in a Court of competent jurisdiction situated beyond the limits of the State, whether within or beyond the limits of 1*[India], and a properly authenticated copy of the will is produced, letters of administration may be granted with a copy of such copy annexed.

229. Grant of administration where executor has not renounced.

229. Grant of administration where executor has not renounced.- When a person appointed an executor has not renounced the executorship, letters of administration shall not be granted to any other person until a citation has been issued, calling upon the executor to accept or renounce his executorship : Provided that, when one or more of several executors have proved a will, the Court may, on the death of the survivor of those who have proved, grant letters of administration without citing those who have not proved.

230. Form and effect of renunciation of executor-ship.-The renunciation may be made orally in the presence of the Judge, or by a writing signed by the person renouncing, and when --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by the A. O. 1950 for "His Majesty's dominions". 132 made shall preclude him from ever thereafter applying for probate of the will appointing him executor.

231. Procedure where executor renounces or fails to accept within time limited.

231. Procedure where executor renounces or fails to accept within time limited.-If an executor renounces or fails to accept an executorship within the time limited for the acceptance or refusal thereof, the will may be proved and letters of administration, with a copy of the will annexed, may be granted to the person who would be entitled to administration in case of intestacy.

232. Grant of administration to universal or residuary legatees.

232. Grant of administration to universal or residuary legatees.- When-- (a) the deceased has made a will, but has not appointed an executor, or (b) the deceased has appointed an executor who is legally incapable or refuses to act, or who has died before the testator or before he has proved the will, or (c) the executor dies after having proved the will, but before he has administered all the estate of the deceased, an universal or a residuary legatee may be admitted to prove the will, and letters of administration with the will annexed may be granted to him of the whole estate, or of so much thereof as may be unadministered.

233. Right to administration of representative of deceased residuary legatee.

233. Right to administration of representative of deceased residuary legatee.-When a residuary legatee who has a beneficial interest survives the testator, but dies before the estate has been fully administered, his representative has the same right to administration with the will annexed as such residuary legatee.

234. Grant of administration where no executor, nor residuary legatee nor representative of such legatee.

234. Grant of administration where no executor, nor residuary legatee nor representative of such legatee.-When there is no executor and no residuary legatee or representative of a residuary legatee, or he declines or is incapable to act, or cannot be found, the person or persons who would be entitled to the administration of the estate of the deceased if he had died intestate, or any other legatee having a beneficial interest, or a creditor, may be admitted to prove the will, and letters of administration may be granted to him or them accordingly.

235. Citation before grant of administration to legatee other than universal or residuary.

235. Citation before grant of administration to legatee other than universal or residuary.-Letters of administration with the will annexed shall not be granted to any legatee other than an universal or a residuary legatee, until a citation has been issued and published in the manner hereinafter mentioned, calling on the next-of-kin to accept or refuse letters of administration.

236. To whom administration may not be granted.-Letters of administration cannot be granted to any person who is a minor or is of unsound mind, 1*[nor to any association of individuals unless it is a company which satisfies the conditions prescribed by rules to be made 2*[", by notification in the Official Gazette,"] by the 3*[State Government] in this behalf]. 236A. Laying of rules before State Legislature. 2*[236A. Laying of rules before State Legislature.-Every rule made by the State Government under section 223 and section 236 shall be laid, as soon as it is made, before the State Legislature."].