Ratan Tata’s ironclad will leaves no room for dispute, execution could be uneventful, say insiders

Ratan Tata's will execution may end up being uneventful, as there is little chance of a challenge from his legal heirs and interested parties, said people in the know. The assets that Tata bequeathed to individuals, including ₹500 crore to Mohini Mohan Dutta, were owned by the late patriarch. There won't be any issue with the inherited assets either, as he legally made the will foolproof with the help of a battery of legal experts, they said.

When a Parsi individual dies with a will, the process of implementing it is governed by the Indian Succession Act, 1925, with specific provisions for the Parsi community. However, there is no difference in the process when it comes to execution.

The executors of Ratan Tata's will, his half-sisters Shireen Jejeebhoy and Deanna Jejeebhoy, filed a petition for probate in the Bombay High Court, which is mandatory for wills executed within the jurisdictions of the High Courts of Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta. Probate is also required for wills involving immovable property located within these regions, even if the will was executed outside these jurisdictions. The petition is essentially a formal request to the court to validate the will.

The court will issue notices to all legal heirs and interested parties to validate Ratan Tata's will. This is to inform the heirs about the probate proceedings and give them an opportunity to raise any objections.

Verification of the will is the next step. The executors must prove the authenticity of the will by presenting evidence and, if necessary, witnesses to confirm that the will was properly executed by Tata.

This will be followed by the court scheduling a hearing where all parties can present their arguments. If there are no objections, or if the objections are resolved, the court proceeds with the probate. Granting of probate will follow if the court is satisfied with the authenticity of the will. This is a legal document that certifies the will's validity and gives the executor the authority to distribute the deceased's assets according to the will.

Nitin Potdar, a corporate lawyer, said obtaining probate is a simple and straightforward process. Tata's will was made public around two weeks after his death. He willed his wealth among several beneficiaries, including his brother, half-sisters, his dedicated household staff, and his executive assistant, Shantanu Naidu. Tata also ensured unlimited care for his pet dog, Tito, through the will. His 0.83% stake in Tata Sons was transferred to the Ratan Tata Endowment Trust. He also had other assets, including a two-storey house in Juhu, a beach bungalow in Alibaug, and fixed deposits worth over ₹350 crore.