Before a division, all lawful stakeholders and their respective shares must be identified. If they agree, an appropriate settlement or partition document may be used; if there is a dispute, the matter may be taken to a competent court.

It cannot be said that every sibling will receive an equal share without examining the succession history. The shares of the mother, widow and branches of heirs who died earlier may also be relevant. If a document creates or extinguishes rights in immovable property, check the registration and stamp duty requirements. The role of the revenue forum in agricultural land matters varies by state.

What should you do now?

1. Prepare a complete list of the family tree, properties and past transfers.
2. In the agreement, also settle issues such as access, possession, expenses and future sale.
3. After executing valid documents and completing registration where required, update the revenue records.

Which documents should you keep?

Registration documents, death certificates, the family tree, wills and earlier partition documents.

Avoid this mistake

The shares of other rights-holders cannot be extinguished merely by obtaining the signatures of one member.

A hypothetical example

Two brothers divide land between themselves but overlook the question of a sister or another heir. An agreement between only those two does not determine the shares of all rights-holders. The complete family tree and succession history must first be considered.

Is an oral family settlement always ineffective?

No, but the law will apply to its nature, proof and the effect of any written document; do not assume that a general rule applies without risk.

Legal basis and useful sources

• Hindu Succession Act, 1956 — Sections 6, 8–10, 14–16, 30
• Registration Act, 1908 — Sections 17, 18 and 49; also check state amendments

This is general legal information. Advice may differ depending on your facts, the applicable law and state rules.