Class I Heirs: The Hindu Succession Act prioritizes Class I heirs, which include the deceased’s immediate family members which includes the following:

• Sons and Daughters: Both male and female children are entitled to an equal share of the deceased’s assets.

• Widow: The deceased's widow is also entitled to an equal share.

• Mother: The mother of the deceased is considered a Class I heir and inherits an equal share.

• Heirs of predeceased sons and daughters: Grandchildren may inherit the share that their parent would have received if they had been alive.

  
  

If the deceased has left behind multiple Class I heirs, the property is divided equally among them.

Class II Heirs: If there are no Class I heirs, the property is distributed among Class II heirs, which include:

• Father

• Siblings

• Grandparents

• Aunts and Uncles

  
  

The Class II heirs inherit in the order of entry, meaning that if a higher-ranked heir exists, they will inherit to the exclusion of lower-ranked heirs.

Agnates and Cognates: In the absence of both Class I and Class II heirs, the property is inherited by agnates (relatives through the male line) and then by cognates (relatives through the female line).

The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, outlines a specific order of succession for the property of a Hindu female who dies intestate (without a will). The hierarchy of heirs is distinct and different from that of a Hindu male. Here is the detailed hierarchy of succession for a Hindu female:

1. First Tier: Sons, Daughters, and Husband

Upon the death of a Hindu female, her property devolves firstly to:

• Sons and Daughters (including children of any predeceased son or daughter)

• Husband

  
  

These heirs inherit equally. If the deceased has more than one son or daughter, the property is divided equally among all the children and the husband.

2. Second Tier: Heirs of the Husband

If there are no heirs from the first tier, the property devolves to the heirs of the husband. This includes:

• Class I heirs of the husband as per the Hindu Succession Act, which may include his sons, daughters, widow, and mother.

  
  

3. Third Tier: Mother and Father

If there are no heirs of the husband, the property devolves to:

• Mother and Father of the deceased female.

  
  

4. Fourth Tier: Heirs of the Father

In the absence of heirs from the mother and father, the property goes to the heirs of the father, which include:

• Siblings of the deceased female

• Nieces and Nephews (children of the deceased’s siblings)

  
  

5. Fifth Tier: Heirs of the Mother

If there are no heirs from the father's side, the property finally devolves to the heirs of the mother, which may include:

• Maternal Uncles and Aunts

• Maternal Cousins (children of maternal uncles and aunts)

Similarly, for Christians and Parsis as well, the default schedule under the Indian Succession Act, 1925 is followed.