Archive · 20 Nov 2025
SC Urges Hindu Women to Make Wills to Avoid Litigation
The Supreme Court told women without sons, daughters, or husbands to make wills to keep their property from going to their husband's family after they die.
This could avoid fights between families.
A woman lawyer asked the court to change a law that gives a husband's family first claim to a woman's property.
The court said people who are affected by this law can challenge it in the future.
They also said that if a woman's parents want her property, they must first try to solve the problem without going to court.
Supreme Court appeals to women without immediate family to make wills
Court refers to Hindu Succession Act, 1956, highlighting potential disputes
Petition challenging Section 15(1)(b) of the Act was not considered on merits
Mediation mandatory for property claims by parents of deceased women
Court reserves right to examine constitutional validity in future
- Who
- Supreme Court, women without immediate family
- What
- Appealed to women to make wills, did not decide on petition challenging succession law
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Supreme Court, New Delhi
- Why
- To avoid potential litigation disputes between families
Petitioner's View
Government's View
Section 15(1)(b)
Petitioner's View
Arbitrary and violative of constitutional rights
Government's View
Not intended for women with self-acquired property
- Act
- Hindu Succession Act, 1956
- Section
- 15(1)(b)
- Petitioner
- Advocate Snidha Mehra
- Mandatory step
- Mediation for property claims by parents
Sources
"Make A Will, Irrespective Of Age": Supreme Court's Advice To Hindu Women
SC Urges Women Without Sons, Daughters, Husband to Make Will to Avoid Litigation
SC urges Hindu women to make wills to avoid future disputes between parents and in-laws
SC urges Hindu women to make wills to avoid property disputes
Prepare will to avoid litigation, SC urges women without children, husband
