We often focus on building wealth through earning, saving, and investing. But what happens to everything you’ve built after you’re gone?
If your family can’t access what you’ve built for them, without facing legal hurdles and bureaucratic nightmares, your life’s efforts are lost in oblivion. This is out family’s journey that turned a simple inheritance into a two-year ordeal.
1. The Loss That Started It All
Two years ago, my grandfather passed away at the age of 85. He is survived by two sons—my father and my chacha (uncle). We we fortunate that there were no family disputes. Both brothers trusted each other, and our extended family was cooperative in the hard times.
But like most Indian families, we didn’t have clear inheritance documents or a formal will. At first, we thought this wouldn’t be a big deal. We had family harmony and a straight forward procedure of what to do – surely that would be enough to navigate the process smoothly. We relied on scattered papers—an FD certificate here, a policy document there—as our only clues to his investments. It was only when we started working through the actual process that we understood what a significant challenge we were facing. Anything whose record was not found is lost forever.
And then there are systems – legal system, govt system – systems that test our patience and determination at every turn.
2. The Post Office Fixed Deposit: A Case Study in Bureaucratic Torture
One of my grandfather’s investments was a Post Office Fixed Deposit—something considered extremely safe and reliable, especially popular in smaller towns and villages.
To claim this FD, the Post Office requires a succession certificate from court. This seemingly simple requirement unleashed an avalanche of legal and procedural nightmares:
2.1 The Court Battle
- Courts & lawyers promised resolution in 4-5 months; reality was 24 months
- It took 25 separate court hearings spanning two years – each trip cost 3000.
- And 5 additional visits for various documentation needs
2.2 The Costs
- Court fees: 8% of the FD’s total value – the entire interest gone!
- Lawyer fees: 4-5% of the FD value/
- Unofficial “chai paani” expenses required to navigate the court ecosystem
- Countless hours of lost productivity and time
- It was a 5 year FD. At 7.5%, 100 becomes 145. After deducting all the costs, we were left with around 80 (that too after 7 years). With one of the safest investments possible.
2.3 The Never-Ending Process
Even after receiving the court order, the Post Office took another 2-3 months to process our claim, requiring four more visits. Most shocking of all? A Post Office executive mentioned that we were among the “fastest cases” he had seen. Most families wait 4-5 years for resolution.
3. The Harsh Reality of India’s Inheritance System
We realised several painful truths about India’s financial & judicial systems:
3.1 Overburdened & Inefficient Courts
Simple, uncontested cases like ours take years because courts are drowning in pending cases. I am not sure if it is corruption, apathy or something else. The bottom line is that court came out as extremely inefficient in this case. Judges dont seem to care and administrative inefficiencies cause endless delays.
3.2 Hidden Costs
The financial toll goes far beyond the visible expenses. Legal fees, travel costs, lost work hours, and unofficial payments add up quickly, draining both financial and emotional resources.
3.3 The Emotional Burden
The constant delays, repeated visits, and bureaucratic run-arounds create immense frustration and stress. This is especially cruel for senior citizens who must fight for what is rightfully theirs. If this is the experience for a harmonious family with no disputes, imagine the nightmare for those facing contested claims or family disagreements.
4. Why a Will Is No Longer Optional
Your investments mean nothing if your family can’t access them when you’re gone. The government doesn’t take your money, but the system makes it nearly impossible to retrieve without a long, painful process.
Here’s why creating a will is absolutely essential:
4.1 Protect Your Family’s Emotional Well-being
- Spare your loved ones from lengthy court battles during their time of grief
- Prevent unnecessary stress and emotional pain when they’re already coping with loss
4.2 Preserve Your Financial Legacy
- Save your family from paying exorbitant legal fees and other avoidable costs
- Ensure your hard-earned assets aren’t unnecessarily depleted by systemic inefficiencies
4.3 Prevent Your Assets from Getting Lost
- Over ₹2 lakh crore sits as unclaimed assets in India due to lack of proper estate planning
- A simple will ensures your wealth reaches your intended beneficiaries instead of getting lost in bureaucratic limbo
4.4 Streamline the Inheritance Process
- Naming nominees and creating a detailed asset list enables faster access to funds
- A registered will is treated as a legal directive by banks and institutions, simplifying the process
5. Taking Action Today
Your family deserves better than battling a system stacked against them. Make a will today. It’s one of the most valuable and loving legacies you can leave behind. These days there is a startup for everything and I have seen many startups working to solve this problem. While I haven’t personally used these services yet, our experience has convinced me of their essential value.
If you’ve used any of these services, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments. But whatever path you choose—don’t delay this critical decision.
If this story resonated with you, please share it with your friends and family. You might save someone from experiencing the same nightmare we did. Because the true cost of not having a will isn’t measured in rupees—it’s measured in years of stress, countless sleepless nights, and unnecessary suffering for those you love most.