The ordinary meaning of the word "Succession" is transmission of property to one or more persons after one's demise and the law of succession is the law governing the transmission of the property of the deceased. Rights and obligations of the deceased are also transmissible rights which pass on to some living person.

Succession takes place in two ways that are (1) non-testamentary succession and (2) testamentary succession. Intestate succession takes place when the person dies without making a Will and is governed by the law of inheritance applicable to the deceased in which the deceased has no choice or particular preference as to successor and the persons entitled under the applicable law take it as a matter of right conferred on them by the law of inheritance applicable.

In case the person does not intend the property to pass as per the law of inheritance, he can execute a Will, directing the manner of distribution of his estate and in case the document conforms to the requirements regulating the Will or any other similar testamentary document, the direction are given effect after his death.