Question
My father-in-law received property from his grandparents’ inheritance. Later, he also received additional property from my grandmother’s estate. My uncle was also given property from my grandmother’s estate, but my father didn’t receive any property from her. My father has two siblings. Is my father legally entitled to a share of my grandmother’s property? Additionally, my grandmother gave land to my brother-in-law after giving him money once. Could you clarify this situation?
Answer
In Bangladeshi inheritance law, property distribution from a grandmother’s estate generally follows these guidelines:
- Equal Distribution Among Children: When a grandmother passes away, her surviving children (e.g., your father, father-in-law, and uncle) are entitled to equal shares of her estate. If only two children received property from the grandmother while your father did not, he is legally entitled to claim his portion.
- Inheritance Rights of Siblings: All legal heirs must be considered in inheritance distribution. If a sibling did not receive their rightful share, they can raise a legal claim to ensure fair distribution. This applies to your father if he was excluded from the grandmother’s estate division.
- Gifted Property to Brother-in-Law: If your grandmother gave money and then land to your brother-in-law, this may be considered a gift rather than inheritance. Under Bangladeshi law, grandparents have the right to gift property to individuals during their lifetime. However, this gift may not reduce the rights of other legal heirs in the overall estate.
- Legal Recourse: If your father’s rightful share from the grandmother’s property was overlooked, he may seek legal action to establish his claim. Consulting a property lawyer can help clarify his inheritance rights and assist in securing his due portion.