Re: implication of clauses in will

Whether the will has been challanged or not ?

If not, the property is self-acquired in your hands and you may sell it ignoring and defying wish of your grandfather.

Dr Vashista,

I truly appreciate your response. The Will was challenged by an aunt, who is my grandfather's daughter from his second marriage. She had alleged that my grandfather was not of stable mind when be made the will. She lost the case and also the appeal. This was more than 15 years ago. At present there is no pending litigation  challenging the will. 

Thanks and Regards 

Robert

Infact such restrictions on transfer is not legally tenable once the property is bequeathed and as both co-sharers have a consensus on such sale.  Take legal opinion from a local expert and finally go for a long term lease up to 99 years to overcome such clauses. (The right to challenge was vested with only one brother and if both brothers agree for sale, there is no one to challenge, particularly after 15 years of such judgment.   Even if the will is ignored from last 15 years you were in possession and enjoyment and can even claim adverse possession even if the will is ignored.  

The facts posted and subsequent clarification reveals that the property absolutely vested with you and your brother. As regards  the condition attached to the Will, it only prevents one of the beneficiaries selling the property to a third party in preference to the co-beneficiary. The said condition does not prevent both the beneficiaries joining together and selling the property.

Thank you Mr. Prasad. I greatly appreciate your thoughts on this matter.

Regards,

Robert

Condition Nos.3 & 4  incorporated in the Will (as per your query above) are self-explanatory.  When both of you are willing to sell the property in question, these conditions are not applicable at all and as such, I am of the opinion that you both of you  can   sell the property to third person.

Thank you very much, Mr Venu and Mr Jose. Now I feel like there is some hope. One thing I forgot to mention is that there is an additional clause in the Will which says the following:

"All provisions in this Will will come into effect only after my lifetime (our grandfather, the testator) and  the lifetimes both of your parents"

It's obvious that the will comes into effect upon the death of my grandfather (the testator). Our father passed away 10 years ago and mom is alive and stays with me in Mumbai. She is aged and has several health issues. She is quite anxious about the property and wants to see it transferred to my and my brother's names. Is it possible to have the property transferred to our names while my mom is still alive? If so, how do we go about getting it done?

Thanks for all your help and guidance

Robert

Sir,

You have raised a fresh issue.   There is absolutely no bar in getting the property in your name through mutation and also through family settlement.  In case of issues, your advocate can suggest joining your mother as a witness for your settlement deed.