Gone are the days when only the wealthy could afford to write Wills. People are writing their Wills in greater numbers now, thanks to growing financial literacy. Furthermore, with the availability of online services, drafting a will has gotten easier. Registration, on the other hand, is still done on paper.
Let’s see how to register a Will and what is the cost of making a will in India!
Table of Contents
What Is Last Will & Testament?
A last will and testament is a legal document that expresses/communicates a decedent’s final wishes for the administration and division of his estate after his death (the testator).
“Will” denotes the legal declaration of a testator’s purpose with respect to his property that he desires to be taken into effect after his death, as defined by Section 2(h) of The Indian Succession Act, 1925.
How much does it cost to make a Will?
You do not have to pay stamp duty while registering a Will, but you must pay a registration fee. Experienced Lawyers typically charge between Rs.10,000 and Rs.15,000 to even draft a Will.
You have to pay the Drafting charges and lawyers fees, however, the registration of a Will is exempt from stamp duty. You may, however, be required to pay a small registration fee, which varies by state. Check the registration amount based on the location where the Will has to be registered.
Why eSahayak is the best choice for creating a Will among others?
| Agency | Price | Legal Advice | Additional Information |
| Willjini | Rs 1500 – Express Rs 4000 – Standard | Yes (Standard will) | 60 Day window for changes |
| Ezeewill | Rs 25,000 – Phone/ Email Will Rs 60,000 – Doorstep Will | Yes | Will Registration- Rs 8500 Overseas Courier- Rs 1000 |
| Legaldesk | Rs 1999 – Draft Rs 3499 – Delivery + Print | No | Doorstep Delivery within 2-4 Days |
| IndianwillMaker | Rs 1400 – 1st Will + Rs 900 for Consecutive Wills | No | 30 Day window for changes |
| SBICAP Trustee | Self Generated Will – Rs 2500 + Taxes Assisted Will – Rs 8000 + Taxes (only Mumbai) | Yes (only for Assisted Will) | – Will Registration- Rs 1500-3000 – Additional meeting- Rs 2500- Rs 1,00,000 |
| eSahayak | Rs 349 (50% off)– Draft | Yes (Paid – Rs 3500) Only if you need to consult | – Draft Preview – Nominal Charges – 60 Days window for changes |
Comparison Table: best platform to create a will.
Cost Of Registration of a Will in various States in India
| Name of State | Registration Fees ₹ |
| Andhra Pradesh | ₹ 10 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | ₹ 10 |
| Assam | ₹ 15 |
| Bihar | ₹ 100 |
| Chandigarh | ₹ 200 |
| Chhattisgarh | ₹ 50 |
| Goa | ₹ 20 |
| Gujarat | ₹ 20 |
| Haryana | ₹ 10 |
| Himachal Pradesh | ₹ 3 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | ₹10 |
| Jharkhand | ₹ 50 |
| Karnataka | ₹ 20 |
| Kerala | ₹ 50 |
| Madhya Pradesh | ₹ 50 |
| Maharashtra | ₹ 100 |
| Manipur | ₹ 20 |
| Meghalaya | ₹ 7 |
| Mizoram | ₹ 7 |
| Nagaland | ₹ 10 |
| Odisha | ₹ 10 |
| Punjab | ₹15 |
| Rajasthan | ₹ 50 |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹ 100 |
| Telangana | ₹ 20 |
| Tripura | ₹ 20 |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹ 10 |
| Uttarakhand | ₹ 10 |
| West Bengal | ₹ 10 |
What is the Procedure for registration of a Will?
- Normally a Will is signed at the home/office of the person in presence of two witnesses and Registration of a Will can be done during life after a Will has been signed.
- Will is to be registered at the office of Sub-registrar of Assurances(Tehsildar) which is in the jurisdiction of the residence of the person who made the Will. There are no government fees for registration of a Will except scanning and photocopy charges which are very nominal.
- The testator must be personally present at the Sub-registrar’s office along with two witnesses.
- Registration of a Will normally takes a maximum of up to 30-45 minutes, however, preparation may take 3 days for documentation, witnesses, and appointment at the Sub-registrar’s office.
Is It Mandatory To Get A Will Registered?
No, because Will Registration is not required by law, one may proceed with an unregistered Will. A registered Will, on the other hand, has more legal sanctity than an unregistered Will.
During the registration process, a Will can be registered in the presence of the testator and two witnesses at the local sub-office. registrar’s It is recommended that the witness be someone who can confirm the testator’s mental health when making the will. A person’s wishes may alter as circumstances change, and he may request changes to his Will.
Because the registration fee is relatively inexpensive, the will can be simply revised or amended as many times as desired. By paying the required registration price, each new version can be registered.
What are the Documents Required for registration of will?
- The person making the Will has to personally go to the Sub-registrar’s office with 2 passport size photographs.
- A Mental Fitness Certificate of the Testator from a Doctor.
- Original Signed Will.
- Two witnesses must also be present with their 2 photographs.
- Photo proof of the person who has made the Will.
- Photo proof of the two witnesses.
- Address Proof of the person who has made Will.
- Pan Card of Person making Will as well as of two Witnesses.
Conclusion
Writing a Will is a good idea regardless of how much money you have or how much debt you have. You should ideally write one to ensure a smooth transfer of your assets to the intended recipients. It is inexpensive, and you can edit or revise it as many times as you desire. Every new version can be registered, and the required registration price can be paid.