Who inherits when a Christian dies without a will?
The Indian Succession Act, 1925 governs most Christian intestacies in India. If there is a widow and children, the widow takes one-third and the children share two-thirds equally. If there is a widow and no children but other kindred, the widow takes one-half. If there is only a widow, she takes the whole.
The usual case — spouse and children
Section 33(a): the widow takes one-third. Lineal descendants take two-thirds between them, equally, sons and daughters alike. Grandchildren step into a predeceased child’s place.
This is the split a bank affidavit should recite when the family is Christian, there is no will, and the only claimants are the widow and the children.
No children
Section 33(b): widow one-half, kindred (parents, siblings) the other half. Section 33(c): widow alone takes everything if there are neither descendants nor kindred in the relevant degrees.
Remoter kindred under sections 42 to 48 is not something to compute off a webpage. That is an advocate’s chart.
Common questions
- Do Christian daughters inherit equally with sons?
- Yes, among lineal descendants the Act does not give sons a double share. They take the two-thirds (or the whole, if there is no widow) equally.
Find out what your case needs
The free check applies all of the above to your actual family and your actual accounts, and tells you the shares and the document list in two minutes.
Related
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. This is general information, not legal advice. Institution requirements change — confirm before you file.