It depends on your religion and the personal law that applies. A Muslim may generally bequeath up to one third of the net estate to persons who are not heirs, and bequests beyond that, or to heirs, usually need the consent of the other heirs after death. The rest passes in fixed shares. Hindus and Christians have wider testamentary freedom, subject to their own rules. Because these limits are strict, private client planning often combines a will with lifetime gifts, trusts or company arrangements to achieve the family's goals lawfully, fairly and with less risk of challenge.

Under the registration law, gifts of immovable property must now be registered, and an unregistered heba of land is open to serious challenge. A heba also requires a clear declaration of gift by the donor, acceptance by the donee and delivery of possession, actual or constructive. Disputes often turn on whether possession really passed and whether the donor acted freely and with capacity. We draft the heba deed, arrange registration and mutation, and keep evidence of acceptance and possession, which is the most effective way to protect the recipient if other family members later dispute the gift.

Most NRBs act through a power of attorney given to a trusted person. A power executed abroad generally needs to be attested at a Bangladesh mission and then authenticated and registered locally under the Power of Attorney Act 2012 before it can be used for land transactions. The scope of the power should be precise and limited to what is needed. We draft powers, monitor how they are used and advise on revocation. For sales, we also advise on taxes, registration costs and the rules for remitting proceeds abroad. Regular attorney reports allow supervision from abroad.

Probate is a court order confirming that a will is valid and that the named executor may administer the estate. A succession certificate is issued by a civil court to allow heirs to collect debts and securities, such as bank deposits and shares, of a deceased person. A warish or heirship certificate from local government is often requested by banks and land offices but does not decide disputed questions of title. Which document is required depends on the asset and the institution. Our private client team advises on the correct route and prepares the applications. We also obtain certified copies.

Yes. Private trusts can be created under the Trusts Act 1882 to hold property for the benefit of family members, for example to provide for children, protect a vulnerable relative or keep a property under unified management. A trust cannot be used to defeat compulsory rights of heirs under personal law where those rules apply, and its tax treatment and registration need careful attention. Trustees must manage the property properly and keep accounts. We draft trust deeds for private client matters, advise trustees and settlors, and assess whether a trust is the right tool for the family.

Succession in a family company involves both the shares and control of the business. Shares pass under personal law on death unless transferred during life, which can split ownership among many heirs and paralyse decision-making. Planning tools include lifetime share transfers, holding companies, shareholder agreements with transfer restrictions, family constitutions and clear board succession plans. Each has tax, governance and family consequences. We advise founders and the next generation together where appropriate, so that the plan is understood and accepted rather than imposed and later challenged in court. Each family's private client plan is different.

Your estate passes under the personal law that applies to you. For Muslims, the heirs and their fixed shares are determined under Islamic law, and for Hindus and Christians under their own succession rules. Heirs then need succession documents to deal with banks, land offices and companies. Without a will or lifetime planning, assets are often held jointly by many heirs, which makes sale and division difficult. Even where law fixes the shares, private client planning can reduce delay, cost and conflict for the family. Keep a list of assets and documents for heirs. Even a short will helps.

Yes. Confidentiality is central to private client work. Information you give us is protected by professional duties of confidence, and we handle personal data in line with the Personal Data Protection Act 2026 and our internal procedures. We share information with other advisers, banks or authorities only with your instructions or where the law requires it. For sensitive family matters we can limit who in the firm works on the file and agree how and where we communicate with you, including when you are abroad. Sensitive documents are kept in restricted folders and shared over secure channels.