What Is the Probate of a Will? Complete Procedure & Legal Requirements You Must Know

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  When a person passes away, their belongings—like property, money, and investments—must be passed on to their heirs or beneficiaries. If the person has left a will, the probate of will procedure is the legal process that helps make this happen. In simple words, probate is the court’s way of confirming that a will is valid and ensuring the person’s wishes are carried out properly. In this blog, we’ll explain what probate means, how the process works, what legal documents are needed, and how it connects to tracing lost investments and the application for succession certificate. What Does “Probate of a Will” Mean? The word "probate" means proving the will in court. It is a legal certificate that confirms: The will is real and valid. The person named as executor (who will manage the property) is legally approved. The distribution of the deceased’s property as per the will is allowed. In India, probate is compulsory in certain area...
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Unclaimed EPF Accounts: What They Are and How to Reclaim What's Rightfully Yours

 

Have you ever changed jobs and forgotten to transfer or withdraw your EPF (Employees' Provident Fund) money? You’re not alone. In fact, according to recent reports, thousands of crores of rupees are lying as unclaimed EPF amounts with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). This money belongs to people like you – workers who either forgot about their old accounts, didn’t claim them after retirement, or passed away without their families knowing how to claim it.

In this article, we’ll explain what unclaimed EPF accounts are, why they happen, how you or your family can recover the money, and what legal documents may be needed, like a succession certificate or the probate of a will. We'll also guide you through the costs and procedures in simple language.

 

What Is an Unclaimed EPF Amount?

An EPF account becomes “unclaimed” when no money is deposited or withdrawn from it for 36 months or more. These are usually accounts left behind when someone:

  • Changes jobs and forgets to transfer the balance
  • Retires but doesn’t withdraw the money
  • Passes away, and their family is unaware of the account

As per EPFO rules, the money in such accounts is still safe and earns interest. But over time, people lose track of these funds, which leads to huge unclaimed balances.

 

How to Check If You Have an Unclaimed EPF Account

Here are a few easy ways to check:

  1. Use the UAN Portal
    If you have your Universal Account Number (UAN), you can log in to the EPFO member portal and check your service history. This will show all the companies linked to your EPF account.
  2. Check the EPFO Website
    Visit https://www.epfindia.gov.in and go to the “Services” section. You can use the “Know Your Claim Status” or “Track Your Claim” options.
  3. Reach Out to Your Old Employer
    Contact the HR department of your previous employers to get the PF account number and details.
  4. File a Right to Information (RTI)
    If you’re not getting the details through usual methods, you can file an RTI application with EPFO for account status.

 

How to Claim the Unclaimed EPF Amount

Once you confirm there is an unclaimed EPF amount, here’s how to claim it:

If the EPF Account Belongs to You:

  1. Log in to the EPFO portal using your UAN and password.
  2. Link your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account.
  3. Go to “Online Services” → “Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C).”
  4. Fill the required details and submit your claim.

The money is usually credited to your bank account within 15-20 working days.

If the EPF Account Belongs to a Deceased Family Member:

In case a family member has passed away and their EPF balance is unclaimed, you can still recover it. But you may need legal documents.

 

Legal Documents Required to Claim EPF of a Deceased Person

If no nominee was registered in the EPF account, the legal heirs (like spouse, children, or parents) must provide the following:

  1. Death Certificate of the EPF account holder
  2. Succession Certificate (if no will exists)
  3. Probate of Will (if a will exists)
  4. ID and address proof of the claimant
  5. Bank passbook copy of the claimant

 

Succession Certificate: Cost and Process

A succession certificate is a legal document issued by a civil court. It proves who the rightful legal heirs are. You need it when there is no nominee or will.

Process:

  1. File a petition at the District Court (in the area where the deceased lived).
  2. Submit documents like death certificate, legal heir list, and ID proof.
  3. The court will publish a public notice in a newspaper for objections.
  4. If no one objects, the court issues the certificate.

Succession Certificate Cost:

  • Court fee: Varies by state, usually 2% to 3% of the total claim amount
  • Advocate fees: ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 depending on the complexity and city

On average, the total cost may range from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 or more.

 

Probate of Will: What Is It and When Is It Needed?

If the deceased person left a will, you must “probate” it to make it legally valid. This means getting it certified by the court.

Procedure:

  1. File a petition in the civil court with the original will.
  2. Provide the death certificate, ID proof, and property details.
  3. The court issues a notice to all possible heirs.
  4. If no objections, the court issues the probate order.

This process can take 3–6 months or more.

 

Important Tips

  • Always nominate a family member in your EPF account to make the claim process easy.
  • Update your EPF nomination online through the UAN portal.
  • Keep copies of your EPF passbook, UAN, and employment records.

 

Conclusion

Your EPF money is your hard-earned income saved for the future. Don’t let it go unclaimed. Whether it's your own old account or a loved one’s EPF fund that’s waiting to be recovered, taking timely action can bring back a significant amount.

Getting help from professionals can also make the process faster—especially if legal documents like a succession certificate or probate of will are required. But with patience and the right steps, you can successfully reclaim what's rightfully yours.

#EPFUnclaimedAmount #ClaimYourEPF #SuccessionCertificate #ProbateOfWill

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