Answer: Courts place estates under judicial supervision during succession disputes to prevent dissipation, misappropriation, or irreversible alteration of estate assets. In situations involving allegations of incapacity, fraud, or misuse, courts prioritise preservation by placing the estate in custodia legis, ensuring that the property remains under the protection and control of the court. To this end, courts may appoint an administrator under Section 247 of the Succession Act to manage and preserve the estate, maintain the status quo, safeguard competing interests, and ensure that the estate’s integrity is protected until succession rights are finally adjudicated.
Registration alone cannot cure infirm execution or suspicious conduct. Courts consistently apply substance over form, particularly where vulnerability, exclusion of heirs, and influence intersect. Sound succession planning, supported by medical clarity and transparency, remains essential to prevent estates from devolving into protracted, multi-forum litigation.