By Advocate Md. Shah Alam · 2026-10-04 · 13 min read
When a parent dies in Bangladesh, the children abroad often hear that "everything is already settled" and discover years later that their share was sold, transferred by a forged deed or occupied by one sibling. Knowing how inheritance works, and acting early, is the best protection. This guide is written by <a href="/advocate-md-shah-alam" style="color:var(--gold);font-weight:bold">Advocate Md. Shah Alam</a>, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, for Bangladeshis living in the UK, USA, UAE, Canada and elsewhere. For case-specific help you can call the chamber on <a href="tel:01712655546" style="color:var(--gold);font-weight:bold">01712655546</a> or WhatsApp the same number.
Bangladesh has no single inheritance statute for everyone. The religion of the deceased decides which law applies:
A will can also change the picture, but a Muslim can leave only up to one-third of the estate by will to a non-heir without the consent of the other heirs.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Fees, forms and procedures change; confirm current requirements with the relevant office or a qualified advocate before acting.
Muslim law fixes the shares of the main heirs. The exact result depends on who survives the deceased, and you should always have your advocate calculate it, but the following are the commonly applied rules:
Heirs living abroad have exactly the same rights as heirs who live in Bangladesh. Debts, funeral expenses and valid bequests are paid first.
Under the Dayabhaga system, the sons, widow and daughters inherit on the death of the owner. In general, sons take the property equally; a widow can inherit a share equal to a son in the absence of other heirs and holds a limited interest; and a daughter inherits mainly in the absence of sons or widow. The rules are complex, and recent reform proposals are not yet complete, so get advice for your specific family.
Under the Succession Act 1925, if a Christian dies without a will, the spouse and children take specified shares: one-third to the widow and two-thirds to the children, equally (if there is no child, shares go to other kin). If there is a valid will, probate or letters of administration are obtained from the District Judge.
Have your property disputes, bail matters, family issues, or litigation documents reviewed in person by Advocate Md. Shah Alam at Uttara or Dhaka Judge Court.
For banks, savings certificates or insurance, a Succession Certificate from the Civil Court may be needed.
Disputes usually arise when one heir takes control of the property. Typical problems include:
Remedies include an application for cancellation of mutation, a suit for declaration and partition (the Partition Act 1893), injunction and, where documents have been forged, a criminal complaint. Courts take time, so act as soon as you learn of a problem.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Fees, forms and procedures change; confirm current requirements with the relevant office or a qualified advocate before acting.
Yes. Residence abroad does not reduce an heir's legal share under Muslim, Hindu or Christian succession law.
A daughter receives half of a son's share when there are sons. A sole daughter gets 1/2 of the estate, and two or more daughters together get 2/3 if there are no sons.
Apply to the Union Parishad, Pourashava or City Corporation with the death certificate, NIDs and family information. They issue a Warish Sanad naming the heirs.
He can only sell his own share. A sale of the entire property without co-heirs' consent can be challenged, and you can seek injunction and cancellation in court.
You can file a partition suit in the Civil Court to have the property divided according to each heir's legal share.