When Mr. Singh* reached out to us at NRiSimplify, he was grappling with a sense of uncertainty that many NRIs know all too well. His father had owned a large parcel of land in a small town in Punjab, but the family had immigrated to Canada nearly three decades ago and had little connection to their roots. The passing of his father brought not just grief, but a daunting inheritance question—there was no will, barely any paperwork, and fading memories of a distant property.
“My siblings and I felt completely lost. We had built our lives in Canada, and suddenly we were confronted with legal, financial, and logistical issues in a place we’d barely visited. I didn’t know where to begin or whom to trust.”
Step 1: Gaining Access to Documents
The first hurdle was the paperwork. Mr. Singh’s only knowledge was that his father had some land—details were sparse. We began by helping him and his family obtain true certified copies of all necessary documents from the local authorities. Since traveling to India was not feasible, we recommended and helped appoint a trusted local representative using a Special Power of Attorney (SPA), making sure every legal formality was handled precisely.
Step 2: Mutation—Transferring Legal Ownership
With the foundational documents secured and local representation in place, we guided Mr. Singh through the mutation process, updating revenue and land records in Punjab to officially reflect his ownership. This required coordination and the preparation of No Objection Certificates/Affidavits (notarized) from all other legal heirs. Our team provided the right formats and guidance, ensuring Mr. Singh met every legal requirement without delays or surprises.
Step 3: Identifying and Shortlisting the Right Buyer
Once the property was registered in Mr. Singh’s name, we moved to the next challenge: finding a genuine buyer. NRiSimplify’s vetted local partners initiated the identification, verification, and diligent shortlisting of only those buyers who were financially credible and genuinely interested, keeping Mr. Singh’s interests at the forefront throughout negotiations.
Step 4: Tax and Compliance—No Hidden Surprises
As the sale process took shape, we explained India’s tax laws for NRIs, including capital gains tax calculations on the inherited property. We advised Mr. Singh on the applicable tax deduction at source (TDS) and introduced options for reducing this burden, like applying for Form 13 for a lower deduction. Our stepwise approach ensured that all paperwork aligned with current legal standards, sparing the client from any last-minute tax setbacks.
Step 5: Remittance—Bringing Proceeds Safely Home
A crucial compliance step for every NRI is ensuring that any proceeds from the Indian property sale are deposited into an NRO account. We took full charge of this final (but highly technical) leg of the journey—not only did we streamline all banking logistics, but we also handled the complex documentation for repatriation, including Forms 15CA & 15CB and Form A2. Mr. Singh benefited from clear advice on maximizing value when remitting funds to Canada, from strategic timing to optimizing conversion rates.
The Result: Peace of Mind and Closure
What started as confusion and apprehension turned into empowerment, clarity, and a sense of closure—for both Mr. Singh and his family, thousands of miles away from Punjab.
“NRiSimplify didn’t just solve a legal problem for us—they gave us peace of mind and control over a situation we thought was impossible. Every step, from documentation to taxes to getting the money into our hands in Canada, was managed with total transparency. We never felt alone.”
*Name changed for privacy.
