US–India estate planning resources
We plan to publish findings about how NRIs plan for their assets in India, based on anonymized, aggregated product data.
No reports have been published yet. We will publish a report only when there is enough underlying data for the findings to be meaningful and when the data can be aggregated without identifying anyone. Individual Will contents are never used or shared — see the privacy notice.
Reference: how common Indian assets pass on death
A quick reference for US-based NRIs, financial advisers, CPAs and estate-planning attorneys. General information, not legal advice; the position can depend on the asset, the documents and the family's personal law.
| Asset in India | What usually controls who receives it | Where a will fits |
|---|---|---|
| Solely owned flat, house or plot | Your will; without one, the applicable succession law | Primary document — name who inherits each property |
| Jointly owned property | Your share passes under your will; ownership type matters | State your share and who receives it |
| NRE / NRO / FCNR bank accounts | Bank pays the nominee or joint holder, who generally holds for the legal heirs | Keep will and nomination aligned |
| Demat holdings and mutual funds | Nominee rules under SEBI regulations; heirs may still claim | Name beneficiaries and keep nominations current |
| Life insurance | Nominee, or beneficial nominee where the policy qualifies | Mention the policy so executors can trace it |
| PPF / EPF balances | Nominee is paid; entitlement can depend on the will and heirs | Include to avoid disputes between nominee and heirs |
| Agricultural land | Will or succession law, plus FEMA limits on NRI/OCI acquisition | Take specific advice before leaving it to a US heir |
Reference: what a US-based executor typically needs in India
- The signed original will (or a certified copy if it was registered)
- Death certificate, often apostilled if issued in the US
- Identity and address proof for the executor and each beneficiary (passport, OCI card)
- Power of attorney, consularised or apostilled, if the executor will act through someone in India
- Property documents: sale deed, share certificate, property tax receipts
- Bank, demat and folio details and the latest statements
- Indian PAN for the deceased and, where relevant, for heirs
- Probate or letters of administration where an Indian institution or court requires it
Citing these resources
Journalists, advisers and publishers are welcome to quote or link to this page with attribution to NRI Will Genius. For questions or corrections, email support@nriwillgenius.com. Related explainers: Indian will for US residents, NRI will for Indian assets, Indian inheritance laws for NRIs.
Planned reports
NRI Estate Planning Report
An annual overview of how NRIs approach Wills covering assets in India.
Not yet published
Most common assets NRIs include in Indian Wills
Which asset types appear most often, from residential property to demat holdings.
Not yet published
Most common questions NRIs have when creating an Indian Will
The questions that come up most often during the will-creation process.
Not yet published
US-based NRI estate planning trends by state
How planning patterns differ across US states for NRIs with assets in India.
Not yet published
Common Will completeness issues
Where draft Wills are most often incomplete, and what gets missed.
Not yet published