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Family Law Module 2
Family Law Module 2
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4. Existence: Legatees must exist at the time the will takes effect. This
means that individuals or entities named as beneficiaries must be alive or
legally established entities.
5. Compliance with Conditions: If the will imposes specific conditions on the
receipt of the bequest, the legatee must meet those conditions to inherit
the property.
NOTE: If a legatee lacks the legal capacity to inherit under the terms of a
will, the bequest may be deemed invalid, and the property may pass to
other beneficiaries or be distributed according to intestacy laws if no valid
will exists.
It's important for individuals drafting a will to consider the capacity of
potential legatees and to ensure that their wishes comply with the relevant
legal requirements to avoid potential disputes or challenges to the will's
validity. Consulting with a legal professional knowledgeable about estate
planning and inheritance laws can help ensure that a will accurately reflects
the testator's intentions and complies with applicable legal standards.
FORMALITIES OF A WILL:
The formalities of a will refer to the legal requirements that must be met for
a will to be considered valid and enforceable. While the specific formalities
can vary depending on the jurisdiction, there are several common
requirements found in many legal systems:
1. Legal Age and Capacity: The testator, the person making the will, must
generally be of legal age (usually 18 years old or older) and of sound mind at
the time of creating the will. They must understand the nature of the
document they are creating and the implications of its contents.
2. Intent: The testator must intend for the document to be their last will and
testament, directing the distribution of their property after their death.
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3. In Writing: Wills are typically required to be in writing, either handwritten
(holographic will) or typed. Some jurisdictions recognize oral wills
(nuncupative wills), but they are generally subject to strict limitations and
are not widely accepted.
4. Signature of the Testator: The will must be signed by the testator at the
end of the document. In some jurisdictions, the testator's signature must be
witnessed by others.
5. Witnesses: Many jurisdictions require the will to be witnessed by
competent individuals who are not beneficiaries named in the will. The
number of witnesses required and specific witnessing requirements can vary
by jurisdiction. Witnesses are typically required to sign the will in the
presence of the testator and each other.
6. Attestation Clause: Some jurisdictions require the presence of an
attestation clause, which is a statement signed by the witnesses affirming
that they witnessed the testator's signature and that the testator appeared
to be of sound mind and free from undue influence.
7. Revocation of Previous Wills: The will may include language explicitly
revoking any previous wills or codicils (amendments to a will) made by the
testator.
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RESTRICTIONS ON TESTAMENTARY POWER OF
DISPOSITION
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6. Capacity: A testator must have the mental capacity to understand the
nature and consequences of making a will. If the testator lacks
capacity at the time of making the will, the document may be deemed
invalid.
7. Charitable Trusts and Public Interests: Some jurisdictions impose
restrictions on the creation of charitable trusts or provisions in a will
that benefit public interests. These restrictions ensure that charitable
gifts are used for legitimate purposes and comply with legal
requirements.
It's important for individuals drafting a will to be aware of the restrictions
and requirements imposed by the laws of their jurisdiction. Consulting with
a qualified legal professional who specializes in estate planning can help
ensure that the will complies with legal requirements and is less susceptible
to challenges or disputes.
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3. Ambiguities: If the language of the will is unclear or ambiguous, the court
may consider extrinsic evidence, such as testimony from witnesses or
evidence of the testator's conversations or actions, to help determine the
testator's intent.
4. Presumptions: Courts may apply certain presumptions to aid in the
interpretation of a will. For example, there is a presumption against
intestacy, meaning that courts will strive to interpret a will in a way that
avoids leaving any part of the estate without clear instructions for
distribution.
5. Hierarchical Approach: When interpreting conflicting provisions within a
will, courts may apply a hierarchical approach, giving greater weight to
certain provisions over others. For example, specific bequests may take
precedence over general provisions.
6. Extrinsic Evidence: In some cases, extrinsic evidence, such as drafts of the
will, correspondence between the testator and their attorney, or other
documents, may be considered to shed light on the testator's intentions.
7. Public Policy Considerations: Courts may consider public policy concerns
when interpreting a will. For example, provisions that encourage illegal
activities or violate public policy may be deemed unenforceable.
8. Residuary Clause: The residuary clause of a will typically governs the
distribution of any remaining assets not specifically addressed in other
provisions. Courts will give effect to the residuary clause unless there is
evidence indicating a contrary intent by the testator.
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REVOCATION OF THE WILL:
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6. Revocation by Codicil: A codicil is a legal document used to make
amendments to an existing will. A testator may execute a codicil to revoke
specific provisions of the will without entirely revoking the entire document.
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5.Irrevocable: In general, once a gift is completed and ownership is
transferred to the donee, it is irrevocable. The donor cannot reclaim the gift
unless there are specific circumstances, such as fraud, undue influence, or
incapacity.
6. Tax Implications: Depending on the jurisdiction and the value of the gift,
there may be tax implications for both the donor and the donee. Gift taxes
may apply if the value of the gift exceeds certain thresholds set by tax
authorities.
Common examples of disposition inter vivos include giving cash, real estate,
vehicles, stocks, jewelry, or other valuable assets to family members,
friends, or charitable organizations during the donor's lifetime.
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Here are the key aspects of Hiba:
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- Acceptance: The donee must accept the gift willingly and without any
undue influence. Acceptance can be expressed verbally or through actions
that indicate consent to receive the gift.
- Legal Capacity: Both the donor and the donee must have the legal
capacity to enter into the transaction. They must be of sound mind and
capable of understanding the implications of the gift.
In Islamic law, the principles regarding who can make a gift (Hiba) and to
whom gifts can be made are based on specific guidelines outlined in Islamic
jurisprudence. Here's a general overview:
1. Who Can Make a Gift (Donor):
- Adults: Generally, any mentally competent adult who owns property or
assets can make a gift. The donor must have legal capacity and ownership
rights over the property they intend to gift.
- Muslims and Non-Muslims: Islamic law allows both Muslims and non-
Muslims to make gifts, provided they meet the necessary conditions and
requirements for Hiba.
- Guardians: In the case of minors or individuals who are not mentally
competent, their legal guardians may make gifts on their behalf, subject to
certain restrictions and conditions.
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- Married Individuals: Married individuals can make gifts without the
consent of their spouses, but they must not harm the marital rights of their
spouses in doing so. Islamic law encourages mutual consultation and
agreement between spouses regarding financial matters.
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DELIVERY OF POSSESSION,MUSHA , REVOCATION OF
GIFTS
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In Islamic law, there are limited circumstances under which a gift (Hiba)
can be revoked:
- Mutual Consent: The donor and the donee may mutually agree to revoke
a gift. Both parties must consent to the revocation willingly and without
coercion.
- Conditionality: If a gift is made subject to certain conditions, the gift may
be revoked if the conditions are not fulfilled.
-Harm or Injustice: If the donor later realizes that the gift causes harm or
injustice to themselves or their dependents, they may seek to revoke the
gift.
- Fraud or Mistake: If the donor was deceived or made a mistake regarding
the nature or consequences of the gift, they may have grounds to revoke it.
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Here's a distinction between Hiba, Ariya, Sadaqa, Wakf, and Hiba-bil-Shartul-
iwad:
1. Hiba:
- Hiba, commonly known as a gift, refers to the voluntary transfer of
ownership of property or assets from one person to another without any
exchange of consideration. It is an act of generosity and charity.
- Hiba is revocable or irrevocable, conditional or unconditional, and may
involve immediate or deferred transfer of ownership.
- It is governed by specific rules outlined in Islamic jurisprudence regarding
delivery, intent, acceptance, and legal capacity.
2. Ariya:
- Ariya refers to a loan or debt provided to someone in need, particularly in
times of financial hardship or distress.
- Unlike Hiba, Ariya is not a gift; rather, it entails the expectation of
repayment or return of the amount lent.
- Providing Ariya is considered a charitable act and is encouraged in Islam
as a means of assisting those facing financial difficulties.
3. Sadaqa:
- Sadaqa is voluntary charity or almsgiving in Islam, given out of goodwill
and compassion to help the less fortunate and needy individuals or causes.
- Unlike Hiba, Sadaqa does not involve the transfer of ownership of assets;
rather, it involves giving money or resources to those in need as an act of
worship and obedience to Allah.
- Sadaqa can take various forms, including monetary donations, food
distribution, helping the poor, supporting education, and contributing to
charitable organizations.
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4. Wakf: Wakf refers to an endowment or charitable trust created by
individuals to dedicate specific assets, such as property, funds, or resources,
for religious, educational, or social purposes in perpetuity.
- The assets dedicated as Wakf are held in trust and cannot be sold,
transferred, or used for personal gain; instead, they are managed and
utilized for the intended charitable purposes outlined in the Wakf deed.
- Wakf plays a crucial role in supporting mosques, schools, hospitals,
orphanages, and other charitable initiatives in Muslim communities.
5. Hiba-bil-Shartul-iwad:
- Hiba-bil-Shartul-iwad, also known as a conditional gift with the option of
return, is a type of gift where the donor retains the right to revoke or
reclaim the gifted property during their lifetime under specific conditions.
- The conditions for the return of the gifted property may include the
occurrence of certain events, such as the donor's financial need or the
inability of the recipient to fulfill certain obligations.
- While Hiba-bil-Shartul-iwad allows the donor some degree of control
over the gifted property, it is subject to Islamic legal principles regarding
fairness, justice, and mutual consent.
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GIFT DURING DEATH ILLNESS (MARSUL MAWT)
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and mental capacity at the time of making the gift. While formalities may
vary, having witnesses can help ensure the validity and authenticity of the
gift.
6. Charitable Intent: Marsul Mawt gifts may also include charitable
donations and contributions to religious causes, such as mosques, schools,
orphanages, and other charitable initiatives. Supporting charitable
endeavors during one's death illness is considered a virtuous act in Islam.
7. Seeking Forgiveness: Marsul Mawt presents an opportunity for
individuals to seek forgiveness for their sins and to reconcile any
outstanding disputes or grievances with family members and others. Making
amends and seeking reconciliation is encouraged in Islam, especially during
times of illness and approaching death.
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