Succession Certificate and Letters of Administration
When a loved one passes away, their bank accounts, pensions, shares and property cannot simply be claimed by the family. Someone must be legally recognised as entitled to deal with the deceased person's assets. In Pakistan, this is done through a succession certificate or letters of administration — documents confirming who the legal heirs are and what each is entitled to receive.
Who this is for
This process is for the family of a person who has passed away leaving assets in Pakistan: a bank account that has been frozen, a pension or service benefits that need to be released, shares or securities in the deceased's name, or property that must be transferred to the heirs. It is also relevant where heirs disagree about who is entitled to what, or where one or more heirs live abroad and cannot attend in person. Whether the family is united or in dispute, the legal transfer of the deceased's assets begins with identifying the heirs and obtaining the proper authority to act.
The process, step by step
1. Identifying the assets and the heirs
We begin by making a complete list of what the deceased person owned — bank balances, property, vehicles, investments, pension entitlements — and identifying every legal heir. Under Islamic law, which governs most succession in Pakistan, the heirs and their shares are determined by fixed rules based on the deceased's family relationships. Getting this right at the start prevents disputes later.
2. Gathering the documents
We collect the death certificate, the national identity cards of the deceased and each heir, the family registration certificate, and proof of each asset — bank statements, title documents, share certificates and the like. Where documents are missing, we advise on how to obtain them before the application is filed.
3. Filing the application
For movable assets such as bank balances, an application for a succession certificate is made to the competent authority, which in many cases is a succession facilitation unit; where immovable property is involved, letters of administration are generally sought from the district court. We prepare the application, set out the heirs and their shares, and file it with everything the forum requires.
4. Verification and objections
The authority verifies the documents and gives public notice so that anyone with an objection — for instance, a person claiming to be an heir — can come forward. If an objection is raised, it must be resolved before the certificate can issue. We handle objections and, where necessary, contest them so the rightful heirs are protected.
5. Issuance and distribution
Once verification is complete and any objections are resolved, the succession certificate or letters of administration are issued. The heirs can then present the document to banks, the pension department, the land revenue authorities or whoever holds the assets, and the assets are released or transferred according to each heir's share.
Documents typically needed
- Death certificate of the deceased person
- National identity cards of the deceased and of every heir
- Family registration certificate showing the family composition
- A list of the deceased's assets with supporting proof — bank statements, title documents, share certificates
- Details of all heirs, including their addresses and contact information
- A power of attorney where an heir lives abroad and cannot attend in person
- Any existing will, if one was left behind
Common questions
In broad terms, a succession certificate is used for movable assets such as bank balances and shares, while letters of administration are generally required where immovable property — land or a house — must be transferred to the heirs. The right forum depends on what the deceased owned, and we advise on this at the first consultation.
An heir living abroad does not lose their right. They can appoint someone in Pakistan through a properly executed power of attorney to act on their behalf — to sign, attend and collect their share. We regularly coordinate this for overseas Pakistani families.
Disagreements usually come from a misunderstanding of who counts as an heir or what each share is. We work through the family tree carefully and explain the position to everyone. Where agreement still cannot be reached, the court decides — but most disputes settle once the legal position is made clear.
It depends on the completeness of the documents, whether objections are raised, and the workload of the forum. A straightforward, uncontested matter moves much faster than one with missing papers or a dispute. We give every client an honest assessment at the outset — never a guaranteed timeline.
General legal information, not advice for your specific matter.