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Major Policy Change: Single People Can Now Foster and Adopt in India

Q: What are the new changes in the foster care guidelines? A: The Women and Child Development Ministry has updated the guidelines to allow single individuals—whether unmarried, widowed, divorced, or legally separated—to foster and adopt children. Previously, only married couples were permitted to foster. Q: What are the age requirements for single individuals to foster?  A: Single individuals must be between 35 and 60 years old to foster a child. For children aged 6 to 12 years, the minimum age is 35, while for children aged 12 to 18 years, the maximum age is 60. Q: How long must a child be in foster care before a single individual can adopt?   A: A child must be in the foster care of a single individual for at least two years before adoption, reduced from the previous requirement of five years. Q: Can single men and women foster and adopt any child? A: Single women can foster and adopt children of any gender. Single men can only foster male children. Q: What are the new ...
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Succession Certificates Simplified: What Every Heir Should Know

When a loved one passes away, the emotional toll is often accompanied by the daunting task of handling their financial affairs. One of the legal tools that come into play during this time is the Succession Certificate.  What is a Succession Certificate?      A Succession Certificate is a legal document issued by a court that authorizes the rightful heirs to collect the debts and securities of the deceased. It essentially allows the heirs to step into the shoes of the deceased, enabling them to access bank accounts, transfer property, and manage other financial assets.      Imagine your loved one left behind a bank account, shares, or bonds in their name. Without a Succession Certificate, you might find yourself unable to access these assets, even if you’re the rightful heir. This certificate is crucial for avoiding legal roadblocks and ensuring that the deceased’s estate is managed properly. When Do You Need a Succession Certificate?    ...

India’s Probate Process in 2024: Essential Insights and Maharashtra’s 2024 Latest Update

  In India, the probate process is a crucial legal procedure for validating a will and administering the estate of a deceased person. This process ensures that the deceased's assets are distributed according to their wishes as expressed in the will, under the supervision of a court. What is Probate? Probate is a legal process that involves: - Proving the Will's Validity: The court examines the will to ensure that it is genuine and was created by the deceased while they were of sound mind. - Appointing an Executor: The will usually names an executor, who is responsible for administering the estate. If the will does not name an executor, the court appoints one. - Distributing the Assets: Once the will is validated, the executor distributes the assets according to the will's instructions. Probate is typically required when the estate includes immovable property (like land or a house), or when financial institutions require a legal confirmation before releasing funds to the ben...

Decoding MahaRERA’s Guidelines of 2024: What Real Estate Buyers Need to Know About Amenities

  📜 What is MahaRERA? The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) aims to promote transparency and protect the interests of homebuyers in the real estate sector.   🏗️ Recent Order Highlights MahaRERA has issued an important order regarding the amenities that builders must provide in real estate projects. Let’s break down the key points!   🔍 Definition of Amenities Amenities include facilities that enhance the quality of life for residents, such as parks, gyms, swimming pools, and community halls. They play a crucial role in a project's appeal.   📅 Timely Provision   Builders are now required to provide these amenities within a specified timeline as part of the project completion. Delays in delivery can lead to penalties!   ⚖️ Consumer Rights Homebuyers have the right to expect the promised amenities. If not delivered, they can file complaints with MahaRERA for redressal. Your rights matter!   💬 Bu...

Understanding the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Zaro FIR Procedures

In a significant overhaul of India's criminal justice system, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)-2023 has replaced the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973. Among the many updates, one notable change is the registration of a cognizable offence, now provided under Section 173 of BNSS instead of Section 154 of CrPC. This new framework introduces a streamlined process for handling Zero FIRs, ensuring that justice is more accessible and efficient. Here’s an outline of the procedural steps for submitting and processing Zero FIRs under the BNSS. 1. Lodging a Zero FIR under BNSS Step 1: Complaint Submission A complainant can approach any police station, regardless of territorial jurisdiction, to file a complaint about a cognizable offence (Section 173(1) BNSS). Step 2: Recording the Complaint Upon receiving information about a cognizable offence outside the station's jurisdiction, the Station House Officer (SHO) or the duty officer records the complaint in the Zero FIR re...

न्यायाची नवी परीक्षा: अल्पवयीन गुन्हेगार आणि कायदा

पुण्यातील एका नुकत्याच घडलेल्या घटनेने समाजात न्यायप्रणालीच्या कार्यक्षमतेविषयी गंभीर प्रश्न उभे केले आहेत. एका १६ वर्षीय मुलाने दारूच्या नशेत गाडी चालवत असताना दोन लोकांचा बळी घेतला. या प्रकरणामुळे अल्पवयीन गुन्हेगारांवरील कायद्यांच्या प्रभावीपणावर पुन्हा विचार करणे गरजेचे आहे. अल्पवयीन आरोपींवर बाल न्याय (मुलांची काळजी आणि संरक्षण) कायदा, २०१५ लागू होतो. या कायद्याचा मुख्य उद्देश विधी-संघर्षित मुलांचे पुनर्वसन आणि सामाजिक पुनर्रचना आहे. १८ वर्षांखालील मुलांना जुव्हेनाईल - बालक समजले जाते आणि त्यांच्या गुन्ह्यांवर विशेष लक्ष दिले जाते. परंतु, निर्भया प्रकरणानंतर गंभीर गुन्ह्यांसाठी सज्ञान व्यक्तीप्रमाणेच अल्पवयीनांवरही कारवाई होऊ शकते, अशी सुधारणा करण्यात आली आहे. या प्रकरणात पोलिसांनी निष्काळजीपणाने मृत्यू (कलम ३०४(अ)) लावले होते, ज्यामुळे आरोपीला जामीन मिळाला. पण आता सदोष मनुष्यवधाचे (कलम ३०४-भाग २) आरोप लावण्याचा निर्णय घेण्यात आला आहे. ही प्रक्रिया प्रथम बाल न्याय मंडळ कडून तपासून मगच पुढे जाईल. कायद्यानुसार, अल्पवयीन आरोपीचे नाव, पत्ता आणि शाळेचे नाव गोपनीय ठेवणे आवश्यक आहे. जर ह...

Bombay High Court uplifts developer selection in a prolonged housing society redevelopment dispute

     In a landmark judgment, the Bombay High Court has upheld the choice of Shubham Builders as the developer under the redevelopment project of Kanchan Villa Co-operative Housing Society in Malad (West), Mumbai. A division bench headed by Justices B.P. Colabawalla and Somasekhar Sundaresan has pronounced the judgment on the challenge to a notice of motion wherein the court would determine if the selection process followed by the developer had, at all, kept with the letter and spirit of the law, after which it would have ramifications on redevelopments by cooperative housing societies. Background      The case lies in the trench of controversy that has been on for long over the selection of Shubham Builders for the redevelopment of the Kanchan Villa Co-operative Housing Society, which was wallowing in litigation for a little more than a decade. Appellants, being members of the society, had, in the meantime, questioned the selection of the developer in the h...