The most expensive conversation you never had

Most of us assume our family will “figure it out” when we’re gone.But here’s the truth — without a will, your loved ones could spend months, even years, in legal battles over what you wanted for them. As a life insurer, we’ve seen this story too many times:

• A father with a ₹50 lakh life insurance policy passes away. He doesn’t update the nominee, nor does he tell his family that there is such a policy. The money sits in limbo, unclaimed for years.

• A woman invests in multiple fixed deposits. She tells no one. After her passing, her family doesn’t even know they exist. The bank eventually transfers the funds to the government as unclaimed assets.

• Siblings stop speaking because no one can agree on how to divide their parents’ home. The case drags on in court longer than the family has been alive together.

These aren’t rare. 

Over ₹50,000 crore of unclaimed money lies with banks, insurers, and the government — simply because no one planned ahead or had the right conversations.A will doesn’t just decide “who gets what.” It saves your family from:

• Endless paperwork and court hearings

• Emotional rifts that never heal

• Losing money that was meant for them

For most people, making a valid, legally enforceable will in India can be done for under ₹5,000 — less than a nice dinner out with the family. The emotional and financial headaches it saves your loved ones later are priceless. When making a will in India, there are a few essentials to get right:

• List all assets clearly — bank accounts, property, investments, insurance policies, even digital assets.
• Name beneficiaries specifically — avoid vague terms like “family” or “children.”
• Appoint an executor — someone you trust to carry out your wishes after you’re gone. Make sure they know that they’re the executor. 
• Sign and witness it properly — Indian law requires two witnesses for a valid will.
• Review and update — especially after major life events like marriage, children, or new investments.

A will is not about death. It’s about love, clarity, and protecting the people you leave behind from unnecessary pain. If you’ve bought insurance, invested in mutual funds, or own property — review your nominees. Make a will. Because the hardest part of losing someone shouldn’t be figuring out what they left behind.