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A complete, honest guide for families and NRIs. No jargon. No legal fees to read this.
This guide covers every step — from the first week to the final account closure. Bookmark it.
Losing someone is hard enough. What comes after — the paperwork, the institutions, the follow-ups — should not fall on your shoulders alone. But if you're reading this, it probably has. This guide explains every category of task that arises after a death in India, and what makes each one complex. Understanding the scope is the first step. If you'd like someone to handle it for you, we're here.
Phase 1
These steps cannot wait. Do them in parallel if you can.
Why it matters
Every institution — banks, insurers, government offices, courts — will require it. Nothing moves without it. Getting the right number of certified copies at the start avoids delays at every subsequent step.
The number of copies you need, and how to handle certified copies if you are managing from abroad, depends on your specific situation. We cover this on the first call.
Why it matters
A will names an executor with legal authority to act. It simplifies almost every claim and speeds up the entire process significantly. Without one, the law determines who the heirs are, and additional legal documentation is needed for most institutions before they will release any funds.
If you are not sure whether a will exists or where it might be, we can help you search systematically.
What to gather
Identity documents, financial records, property papers, insurance policies, and bank statements — both physical originals and digital copies. Missing documents at the claim stage cause delays at every institution. Having everything organised before any filings begin saves weeks.
On the first call we walk you through exactly what to gather for your specific situation before anything else begins.
Why this matters
Aadhaar is not automatically deactivated after death. Someone could misuse fingerprint or iris authentication — particularly for banking transactions.
Why it matters
Aadhaar biometric authentication remains active until formally locked — creating a real risk of misuse, particularly for banking transactions. This is one of the first things that should be addressed, and the process depends on whether the deceased's registered mobile number is accessible.
Why
Joint accounts need the deceased's name removed. Standing instructions and auto-debits will continue otherwise — including loan EMIs which may default. Fixed deposits may auto-renew into the deceased's name.
What we do
We identify every institution that needs to be notified and handle all communications on your behalf. The right order and approach matters — book a call and we will walk you through the immediate steps.
Phase 2
Most Indian families have no idea what accounts, policies, or investments the deceased held. There is no central registry in India. Finding everything requires a systematic approach across multiple channels — and missing even one account means assets that are never recovered.
India has no central registry of bank accounts. Finding every account the deceased held requires a systematic approach — and most families miss at least one account, sometimes more. Fixed deposits are especially easy to miss; bank staff don't always surface them automatically. Unclaimed accounts and deposits can sit indefinitely. We know how to find them all.
There is no single place to check all insurance policies held in India. LIC and private insurers keep separate records. Without knowing what to look for and where, policies worth significant sums go unclaimed every year. We know how to trace every policy systematically — including ones the family didn't know existed.
Almost every salaried employee in the formal sector held an EPF account. Tracing, accessing, and claiming EPF balances after death is more complex than most families expect — particularly when the UAN is unknown or Aadhaar was not linked to the account. There is also an EPS pension and EDLI insurance component that most families never know to claim.
Mutual fund holdings are spread across fund houses managed by two registrar and transfer agencies. Getting a complete picture of all holdings and initiating the transmission process requires navigating both. The nominee's KYC must be fully in order before any claim can proceed — the most common reason for rejection. We handle all of it.
Demat holdings may be spread across multiple brokers and depositories. The transmission process requires the beneficiary to have their own demat account in place before anything can be transferred. We identify all holdings and manage every document and submission.
Post office savings accounts, NSC, KVP, and MIS certificates are paper-based and branch-specific. Records are held only at the branch where the account was originally opened. For NRI families, this requires someone in India to attend in person — which we handle through your Power of Attorney.
Property records are held across multiple authorities — revenue records, municipal offices, and registration offices. NRI families often don't know the full extent of what property existed. We systematically identify all property holdings and advise on exactly what needs to be done for each.
Every family's situation is different. The assets involved, whether nominees are in place, and what documentation exists all change what needs to happen. Book a free call and we will map this out for your specific situation.
Book a free callPhase 3
For each asset type below, we've described what makes it complex and what we handle on your behalf. Your specific situation will determine which of these apply — book a call to understand exactly what you're dealing with.
The process is straightforward in principle — notify the branch and submit the required documentation. In practice, banks often ask for more than they are entitled to under RBI guidelines. Knowing what is and isn't a legitimate requirement saves significant time.
A legal heir certificate or succession certificate is required depending on the amount. This adds 2 to 6 months to the process and involves either a tehsildar application or a court petition. We manage both.
What we handle
We prepare all documents, visit branches on your behalf under Power of Attorney, and follow up until every account — including fixed deposits, which banks don't always surface automatically — is formally closed.
Claims must be settled within 30 days of receiving complete documents. Getting the documentation right the first time is essential — incomplete submissions restart the clock and cause weeks of delay.
A succession certificate is required. LIC will require court proof of legal heirship before releasing funds. Expect a significantly longer process and legal costs.
What we handle
We identify every policy, prepare all claim documentation, and coordinate with the insurer through the full documentation process. For early claims — where death occurred within the first years of the policy — additional documentation is required and we manage this in full.
The main provident fund balance is claimed online. The process requires the UAN of the deceased and specific digital credentials of the beneficiary. EPFO does not accept third-party filing — the legal heir must submit directly, but we prepare everything and guide every step.
In addition to the PF corpus, there is often a monthly EPS pension payable to the widow or dependent children, and an EDLI insurance benefit if the member was employed at the time of death. Most families never know to claim these. We do.
What we handle
We prepare all documents and guide you through every step of the EPFO filing process. We also ensure the pension and insurance components are claimed — not just the PF balance.
The transmission process goes through the fund's registrar. The nominee's KYC must be fully updated before any claim can proceed — this is the most common reason for rejection and delay.
A succession certificate is required above certain thresholds. Below those thresholds, a legal heir certificate with an indemnity bond may be accepted. Requirements vary by fund house.
What we handle
We get a complete picture of all holdings across all fund houses, prepare all transmission documents, ensure the nominee's KYC is in order before submitting, and follow up until every fund is formally transferred.
Shares are transferred in-kind to the nominee's demat account — not sold. The beneficiary must have their own demat account in place before the process can begin. We handle preparation and submission.
A succession certificate is required. The process goes through the depository rather than just the broker. This takes considerably longer and involves additional documentation.
What we handle
We identify all holdings across brokers and depositories, prepare all transmission documents, and manage the process from preparation to transfer confirmation.
The claim is submitted to the bank or post office holding the PPF account. The full balance including accrued interest is paid out.
A succession certificate is required above certain thresholds. For smaller amounts, a legal heir certificate with indemnity bond may be sufficient.
What we handle
We prepare all documents and time the submission correctly — PPF interest continues to accrue until the account is formally closed, and the timing of closure matters.
Post office records are branch-specific — you can only claim at the branch where the account or scheme was originally opened. This requires a physical visit with the original physical certificates and identity documents. For NRI families, this is handled through your Power of Attorney holder.
What we handle
We visit the relevant post office branch on your behalf, prepare all claim documents, and follow up if delays occur.
Property is the most complex step, and the one where most families make costly mistakes by doing things in the wrong order.
The process involves mutation of revenue records and, depending on the state, possibly probate. Requirements vary significantly — what applies in Maharashtra is different from what applies in Karnataka or Delhi.
Legal heirship documentation and, for most matters, a succession certificate is required before mutation can proceed. This typically involves a court process taking 3 to 6 months.
What we handle
We handle all documentation and filing for property mutation and coordinate with qualified property lawyers when court involvement is needed. Book a call to understand what applies in your specific state and situation.
A vehicle can be transferred to a legal heir's name or surrendered at the local RTO. The process requires the original RC book, death certificate, legal heir documentation, and RTO forms. We handle this as part of the full case.
The final income tax return for the year of death must be filed before the PAN can be deactivated. Doing things in the wrong sequence creates complications. We coordinate the deactivation with the income tax department after the ITR is filed.
The deceased's mobile number is often linked to bank accounts and investment platforms for OTP authentication. If the number is cancelled before those accounts are dealt with, the claim process becomes significantly harder. In most cases, the number should be transferred to a legal heir before any financial claims begin — we advise on the right sequence for your specific situation.
Email and social accounts can be memorialised, removed, or handed over to a family member depending on the platform and the family's preference. Each major platform has its own process and timeline.
Especially important for NRIs
Active subscriptions — streaming services, cloud storage, software — are often linked to email accounts and continue charging after death. Identifying and cancelling them requires access to the email inbox. We help map and close these as part of the full case.
Voter ID, passport, and driving licence all need to be formally surrendered or cancelled after death. The process for each is different and involves separate authorities. We handle all three as part of the full case.
Which of these apply to your situation — and in what order to handle them — depends on what the deceased held and whether nominees are in place. Book a free call and we will give you a clear picture of your specific case.
Book a free callLegal clarity
A succession certificate is a court order that formally identifies the legal heirs of a deceased person and authorises them to receive their assets. It is issued by a civil court after a formal petition process.
Typically 3 to 6 months in most civil courts, sometimes longer. A lawyer is required for the petition and court process. We work with qualified legal partners for this and connect you only when it is genuinely needed — not as a default.
Legal heir certificate — issued by the tehsildar or municipality, faster (2 to 4 weeks), sufficient for smaller claims and government benefits. Does not carry the same legal weight as a court order.
Succession certificate — issued by a civil court, required for larger financial assets without nominees and for most property matters. Carries full legal authority.
Which one you need — and for which assets — depends on your specific situation. Book a call and we will tell you exactly what applies.
Reference
Prepare this before you start any claims. Every institution will ask for these. Running out of copies causes avoidable delays.
Planning ahead
These are best-case timelines when nominees are in place and documents are complete. Without nominees, add 3 to 6 months to every step.
Week 1–2
Death certificate obtained and copies made. All documents gathered and secured. Key banks notified. Aadhaar biometrics locked. Will located (if any).
Month 1
Bank account formalities (with nominee) completed. Insurance claim documentation submitted. EPF/PF documentation filed with EPFO. Mobile number cancelled or transferred. Email and social accounts managed.
Month 2–3
Mutual fund transmission documentation complete. Demat and stock account transmission documentation processed. PPF documentation process complete. Vehicle ownership transferred. Post office scheme documentation complete. PAN deactivation initiated.
Month 3–6
Property mutation completed. Succession certificate obtained if needed (court petition filed by month 1, received by month 3–6). Voter ID and passport surrender completed.
Month 6 and beyond
Property legal ownership transfer if court process was required. Any disputed claims or accounts without nominees that needed succession certificates. Final income tax return filed for the year of death.
For your own family
Most of the delays families face come from one thing: no nominee on the account. Adding a nominee takes 5 minutes at any bank branch or on any banking app. It costs nothing. It can save your family months of paperwork and significant court fees.
If you take one thing from this guide — update your nominees today. Every bank account. Every fixed deposit. Every insurance policy. Every investment. Every PPF. Every demat account. Every EPF. All of them.
And tell your family where to find the list.
How Antim helps
You just read what needs to happen. We do all of it on your behalf.
Tell us what you're dealing with. We'll listen and tell you exactly how we can help.
Book a free call with Antim