General Legal Services & Documentation

Verify Bar Council enrolment, prioritise specialisation in your area of law, demand a written engagement letter with a clear fee structure, and check the disciplinary record.

Choose a family-law specialist with regular practice in the Family Court set up under the Family Courts Act, 1984, and a preference for mediation over aggressive litigation.

Hire an advocate experienced in title due diligence (30-year search), RERA litigation, and Sub-Registrar/municipal procedures. Avoid generalists for high-value transactions.

Register the death with the local Registrar (Municipal Corporation / Gram Panchayat) within 21 days for a free certificate under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.

Stop, render aid (Section 134 MV Act), call 112, take photographs, exchange details, and notify your insurer within 24-48 hours. File a MACT claim for serious injury or death.

Apply online at passportindia.gov.in, book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office PSK, complete biometric and document verification, and receive your passport in 7-30 days.

Register your marriage under your applicable personal law (Hindu Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act, etc.) at the Sub-Registrar's office. Many states now offer online marriage registration for ₹100-₹500.

Depends on your business — common requirements include Shops & Establishments registration, GST registration, FSSAI (for food), Trade Licence (from Municipal Corp), and industry-specific licences (drugs, manufacturing, exports).

Births must be registered within 21 days under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. After 30 days, delayed registration requires fee + affidavit; after 1 year, requires Magistrate's order. Apply via municipal corporation, panchayat, or online via crsorgi.gov.in.

Apply via NSDL / Protean (tin-nsdl.com), UTIITSL (pan.utiitsl.com), or get instant e-PAN free via Income Tax portal using Aadhaar. Now linked with Aadhaar — non-linked PANs are 'inoperative' since 1 July 2023. Multiple PANs are illegal (Section 272B penalty ₹10,000); surrender extras.

Update name, address, DOB, gender, mobile, email, photo, biometrics via UIDAI's myAadhaar portal (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in), Aadhaar Seva Kendra, or authorised enrolment centres. UIDAI mandates document update every 10 years; document update via portal currently ₹50. Children's biometric mandatory at age 5 and 15.

Under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, file application before Maintenance Tribunal (SDM-level). Free of cost, decision within 90 days, maintenance up to ₹10,000/month per child. Property given to children can also be revoked on neglect.

Power of Attorney is governed by the Powers of Attorney Act, 1882. Two types — General POA (broad powers) and Special POA (specific act). For immovable property, registration mandatory under Section 17 Registration Act. NRI POAs need apostille/consular attestation + stamping in India within 3 months. Revocable anytime by written notice; cannot transfer ownership (post Suraj Lamp, 2012).

A Legal Heir Certificate is issued by the local Tehsildar/revenue office in 15–30 days and is used to transfer property, pension, and employment benefits to the heirs of someone who died without a will. A Succession Certificate is issued by a District Judge under the Indian Succession Act, 1925 after a 3–6 month court process, and is specifically required to claim bank accounts, shares, bonds, and other financial securities held in the deceased's name. Most families need the Legal Heir Certificate first; the Succession Certificate is only needed if banks or financial institutions insist on it.