Question:
Can a person transfer his ancestral wealth to his wife? If the wealth is in the wife’s name and they have only one daughter, who will inherit it?
Answer:
In Bangladesh, the transfer of ancestral wealth and inheritance rights are governed by personal and family laws based on religious affiliation.
- Transfer of Ancestral Wealth to Wife
A husband can gift or transfer his ancestral wealth to his wife during his lifetime. He may do this through a gift deed or will (as per his legal capacity), but it may have limitations based on family consent if it’s ancestral property shared with other family members. Consulting a lawyer to confirm the legal transfer process and family rights is essential. - Inheritance When Wealth Is in Wife’s Name
If the husband successfully transfers ownership of the wealth to his wife, it becomes her property. In the event of her passing, inheritance will follow the rules of the applicable personal law. For instance:- Under Muslim Law: If the wife owns the property, her daughter would inherit it according to Shariah principles, where a daughter is entitled to inherit from her mother’s property. Other relatives may also have shares based on the specific family structure.
- Under Hindu Law: If governed by Hindu laws, the daughter could be the sole inheritor if she is the only legal heir, though other family members may claim a share in certain cases.
- Single Daughter’s Rights
If the wife has no other heirs, the daughter generally inherits the entirety of her mother’s property. However, if other relatives or claimants are involved, inheritance rights should be verified with legal counsel for clarity according to Bangladesh’s inheritance laws.