Want to bequeath assets to caregivers who are nonfamily? Register your will

As per a 2020 National Sample Survey, 13.4% of the elderly in rural areas and 15.5% of senior citizens in urban areas live only with their spouses for company. The Varmas joined this demographic group more than a decade ago.

With all their three children settled abroad, Mr and Mrs Varma — retired senior government officials — have no immediate family members to help them around. Now in their early seventies, they have some health issues as well, including diabetes and arthritis.

Finding alternate support systems

The Varmas have always been close to their former gardener Anil's family. They are particularly fond of his daughters, who live nearby. The two young women practically run the Varma household — from grocery shopping to weeding the garden and the elderly duo's medical appointments, they handle everything.

An increasing number of elderly couples are coping with the final years of their lives with no help from immediate family or relatives. Many of them have found alternate support systems in their domestic staff, neighbours, friends or local NGOs.

The legal catch

As per the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, children are the natural heirs of their parents' self-acquired property. If a couple is child-free, the inheritance will go to their next of kin, unless specified otherwise in the will.

So, if you genuinely want to reward those people who have been there for you — who made you feel wanted and cherished when nobody else did — you should not procrastinate registering your will.