What does the law say about inheritance? Know your rights

For generations, inheritance in India has been shaped by family relationships, religious personal laws and the nature of the property being inherited.A daughter may have an equal right with her brother in one situation, but not necessarily in another. A widow may be entitled to a share in her husband's estate, while a woman may also own property in her own right through inheritance, gifts or other means.The biggest question often arises when a person dies without leaving a will. In such cases, known as intestate succession, the applicable law determines who inherits and in what proportion. The rules differ across religious communities.The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, governs succession among Hindus and also applies to Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs, subject to its provisions.