Anil Harish

Introduction

Anil Harish is a senior partner at D. M. Harish & Co. and a recognised authority as a Wills & Estates lawyer in India, with a practice that spans testamentary drafting, probate and succession administration, trusts and cross‑border inheritance issues. He combines decades of transactional and advisory experience with public‑facing thought leadership on estate structuring for individuals, families & corporate stakeholders. Clients and commentators regularly seek his view on complex inheritance questions affecting NRIs, family businesses and high‑value property portfolios.

Professional Background & Credentials

Anil Harish holds a B.A., LL.B. and an LL.M. (USA) and has practised for many years from the Mumbai‑based firm founded by D. M. Harish. He is described in corporate filings and public disclosures as a partner specialising in income‑tax, FEMA and property matters. Over his career he has served in leadership roles in representative bodies and commercial institutions, and he has been appointed as an independent director on the boards of listed companies, reflecting the breadth of his commercial and regulatory experience. His long association with D. M. Harish & Co. LLP positions him at the intersection of property, tax and succession law, areas that frequently converge in estate planning.

Wills & Estates Expertise

Anil Harish advises on the full lifecycle of estate matters: drafting clear, enforceable wills (including dual‑will structures for cross‑border assets), probate and letters of administration, trust creation and interpretation, partition and family arrangements, and disputes arising from intestacy and contested testamentary instruments. He routinely handles matters involving immovable property, financial investments, business succession for family enterprises, and specialised assets such as art or intellectual property. His practice also addresses regulatory overlays relevant to heirs and executors most notably FEMA compliance and tax consequences that affect the timing and mechanics of asset transfers.

Notable Roles, Publications & Speaking Engagements

Beyond client work, Anil Harish is an active contributor to public debate and professional education on succession law. He has authored articles and delivered presentations on will‑making, succession and related tax issues, and features regularly in firm publications and sector conferences on topics such as inheritance for NRIs, redevelopment and property tax implications. His firm’s client‑facing materials and event listings record a sustained engagement with both practitioner audiences and the public on estate planning best practice. He has also served as an independent director of major corporates, bringing governance experience to trusteeship and fiduciary matters that often arise in estate administration.

Recent Commentary & Practical Insights

In media commentary and client briefings, Anil Harish has emphasised practical steps that reduce friction for heirs, for example, aligning bank and nominee records with testamentary dispositions, preparing for probate where required and planning for tax and repatriation limits that apply to NRIs. His observations on repatriation limits, TDS on sale by heirs and the utility of coordinated documentation for cross‑border estates reflect hands‑on experience with the operational problems beneficiaries face. These recent public interventions underline his proficiency in translating legal rules into executable estate plans.

What Sets His Practice Apart

Clients choose Anil Harish for a combination of technical command across property, tax & foreign‑exchange law and for an advisory style that balances legal precision with commercial practicality. His multi‑disciplinary approach is particularly valuable where succession issues intersect with corporate holdings, redevelopment projects or cross‑jurisdictional tax exposure. The firm’s long track record in property and inheritance law, together with Anil Harish’s governance roles and published work, gives him a distinctive position among practitioners who advise both private clients and institutional stakeholders.

Wills & Estates Law In India: Context & Key Challenges

The Indian succession landscape is shaped by a mix of personal laws, the Indian Succession Act and procedural requirements that vary by jurisdiction; probate and letters of administration continue to play an important role in the administration of certain wills and immovable property in some High Court jurisdictions. Practitioners must also contend with practical issues such as aligning nominations with testamentary directions, addressing Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) entitlements, and navigating taxation and FEMA rules where heirs or assets sit outside India. Specialist expertise reduces the risk of delays, competing claims and costly litigation, especially for NRIs and families with multi‑jurisdictional assets.

Typical Matters & Client Types

Anil Harish advises high‑net‑worth individuals, family offices, trustees, NRIs and corporates on bespoke estate solutions. Representative matters include drafting and updating complex wills, structuring testamentary trusts, administering estates with mixed movable and immovable assets, obtaining probate or letters of administration where required and providing strategic advice in cross‑border succession and taxation. He also supports corporate clients and promoters with succession plans that protect business continuity and governance.

Conclusion

Anil Harish combines established credentials, public‑facing thought leadership and a long record of client service in property, taxation and succession matters, making him a pragmatic Wills & Estates lawyer in India for individuals and businesses confronting complex inheritance issues. His practice emphasises clarity of testamentary intention, regulatory compliance and pragmatic administration, helping clients convert legal options into durable, enforceable estate outcomes. For estates that involve cross‑border elements, family businesses or significant property portfolios, his multi‑disciplinary experience offers particular value.