The Indian Succession Act governs the law of wills, intestate succession and probate for most communities in India (excluding Hindus, Muslims and certain other communities that follow their own personal succession laws in specific matters), and is the primary reference for making a valid will.
Section 63 lays down the requirements for a valid will, including that it be signed by the testator and attested by at least two witnesses who saw the testator sign. Section 57 extends most of the Act’s testamentary provisions to Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains as well, meaning the Act’s will-making rules are broadly applicable across religions.
Chapter III deals with intestate succession for Christians and Parsis when a person dies without a will, laying down the order of priority among spouse, children and other relatives for inheriting the estate.
Section 213 requires probate (court validation) of a will in certain cases, particularly for Christians in specific jurisdictions, before the executor can establish rights in court based on the will, and Section 222 deals with the grant of probate to executors named in the will.