Skip to main content

Important Changes for Maharashtra Housing Societies: Inheritance of Flats and Shares

 



This blog post is for members of housing societies registered under the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960. A recent amendment, the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2019, has introduced some key changes regarding the inheritance of flats and shares in a society upon a member's death.

Key Points of the Amendment:

  • A new section, 154(b), has been added to the Act.
  • This section deals with the transfer of a deceased member's interest in the society's property.
  • The society will transfer the share, right, title, and interest to:
    • A person nominated by the deceased member according to the society's rules (if any).
    • Heirs entitled to inherit the property based on:
      • A legal heir certificate.
      • A succession certificate.
      • A testamentary document (like a will).
      • A document of family arrangement.

What if there's a Will?

The amendment recognizes a "Will" as defined by the Indian Succession Act, 1925. A Will is a legal document outlining how you want your property distributed after your death.

What about Probate?

Probate is a court-issued certified copy of a Will, along with the grant to manage the deceased's estate.

When is Probate mandatory?

Probate is mandatory for Wills made by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, or Jains in specific regions, including Mumbai.

Documents required for Probate:

  • Petition filed with the Bombay High Court.
  • Death certificate, photo ID, and Will of the deceased.
  • ID proofs of the executor and legal heirs.
  • Death certificate of any pre-deceased heir (if applicable).
  • ID proof of a Will's attesting witness.
  • Detailed list of the deceased's property.

Probate Process:

  • Drafting and notarizing documents.
  • Court fees (maximum Rs. 75,000).
  • Filing the petition electronically.
  • Addressing objections (if any).
  • Submitting original Will and death certificate.
  • Obtaining a final order (Probate).

Timeframe:

Expect 10-12 months to receive the final Probate after filing.

Potential Challenges:

  • Legal heirs withholding consent can delay the process.
  • Executor's death may require additional legal steps.
  • Witness deaths may require additional evidence.

After Receiving Probate:

  • Register the Deed of Transfer within a year at the Sub-Registrar's office.
  • File an affidavit with the Bombay High Court.
  • Coordinate with the housing society for membership transfer.

Conclusion:

Understanding these amendments and inheritance procedures is crucial for ensuring a smooth transfer of your flat and shares within the society upon your passing. Consulting a legal professional can help you navigate the legalities of Wills and Probate for a hassle-free transition for your heirs.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

10 Landmark Judgments That Have Shaped the POCSO Act

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) is an Indian legislation that defines and penalizes sexual offenses against children. It also provides for the establishment of special courts and child-friendly procedures for the trial of such cases. The POCSO Act was enacted in response to the growing number of cases of child sexual abuse in India and is considered to be a landmark piece of legislation in the fight against child sexual abuse. Here are some of the top 10 landmark judgments in POCSO Act with citation: 1. Jarnail Singh v. State of Haryana (2013) - The Supreme Court held that the POCSO Act is a special law and takes precedence over the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in cases of sexual offences against children. [Citation: Jarnail Singh v. State of Haryana, (2013) 10 SCC 419] 2. State of Karnataka v. Shivanna  (2014) - The Supreme Court held that the POCSO Act does not require recording every statement made under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Proced...

पोलीस अधिकारी/कर्मचाऱ्यांविरुद्ध तक्रार कशी दाखल करावी

  एक पोलीस अधिकारी पोलीस दलात सामील होत असताना तो/ती शपथ घेतो/घेते की तो/ती नेहमीच देशातील लोकांचे रक्षण करेल आणि हे त्याचे/तिचे पहिले कर्तव्य असेल. पण काही वेळा पोलीस अधिकारी त्यांना प्रदान केलेल्या कर्तव्याचा व अधिकारांचा चुकीच्या पद्धतीने वापर करतात. यासाठी सुप्रीम कोर्टाने PCA- पोलिस तक्रार प्राधिकरण स्थापन केले आहे. हे प्राधिकरण पोलिस अधिकार्‍यांविरुद्धच्या लोकांच्या तक्रारी पाहते. हे प्राधिकरण मुळात निवृत्त न्यायाधीशांच्या अध्यक्षतेखालील एक पॅनेल आहे जे पोलिसांविरुद्धच्या गैरवर्तन किंवा निष्क्रियतेची प्रत्येक तक्रारींवरील सुनावणी करते. महाराष्ट्राने २०१४ मध्ये पोलिस तक्रार प्राधिकरण (PCAs) ची स्थापना साली. पोलिस कर्मचार्‍यांविरुद्ध जनतेच्या तक्रारींची चौकशी करण्यासाठी ही एक स्वतंत्र संस्था स्थापण्यात अली आहेत. PCA मध्ये गंभीर गैरवर्तन, भ्रष्टाचार आणि अधिकाराचा गैरवापर अशा आरोपांच्या प्रकरणांशी कारवाई केली जाते. महाराष्ट्रात, राज्यस्तरावर एक PCA आणि नाशिक, पुणे, औरंगाबाद, नागपूर, अमरावती आणि कोकणात विभागीय स्तरावर सहा PCA आहेत. भारतातील प्रत्येक राज्यात एकापेक्षा जास्त PCA अ...

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...