My father has self-acquired and ancestral property. He is alive and writing a will in which he is taking only my brother’s name as the beneficiary and not me. Can it be both self acquired and ancestral? Property to my brother? — Ritu Sarin
Your father in his will can give self-acquired property to anyone of his own free will, not ancestral property. According to the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, both you and your brother have equal rights over the ancestral property by virtue of your birth.
We are a team of food enthusiasts who have recently closed our restaurant business due to heavy losses. We still have to repay our debt to vendors and family members. Can you suggest how we can repay the money without affecting our relationship with them? – Ram Kirtan
The first step for all team members should be to find jobs or other sources of income as quickly as possible. Also, you should write to all those who owe you money, assuring them that you have every intention of repaying the loan, and also set a realistic time frame within which you intend to pay it back in easy installments. Will try
As an act of good faith and depending on the amount you give to people, all team members should list their current financial assets, such as gold, insurance policies, mutual funds or furniture, which can either be sold or can be monetized. The money so collected should be repaid in the order of priority as you deem fit. Once all the members have found jobs, start paying them with the money you can spare according to the time frame you set.
I am 30 years old and I lost my job in Delhi last year due to the pandemic. I was living with my parents, but my father retired and moved to his hometown. Since then I can’t find a job and I am being forced to live with my aunt in another city while my father takes care of my basic needs. He could easily rent or buy a house for me in Delhi so that I could live there and find a job, but he refused to do so. What should I do? — Vinay Saxena
Your parents have done their duty in educating you and enabling you to find a job and support you financially. Furthermore, they have no legal obligation to provide for your needs, but they are continuing to do so because they love you. If your father does not want to rent or buy a house for you, he is fully entitled to do so as he may need the money for his retirement. It is up to you to upgrade your skills and find a job instead of bothering your parents.
Disclaimer: Responses are based on limited facts provided by the questions. It is advisable to consult a legal practitioner after furnishing the complete facts and documents. The responses should not be construed as legal advice in any way.