Jointly Acquired Property: Legal Issues and Conflicts in After-Death Claims from Malaysian Land Law Perspective

Jointly acquired property claim is recognized by the Malaysian law and are set forth in the Islamic Family Law Enactments in the respective states. Jointly acquired property claim can be made in 3 situations. The first scenario would be in the event of divorce. Apart from that, the scenarios of polygamy and the death of either spouse could also become grounds of making jointly acquired property claim. This study aims at fulfilling three objectives. Firstly, it analyses legal principles on jointly acquired property claims in Malaysia. Secondly, it identifies issues and problems related to jointly acquired property particulalrly in after death claims. Thirdly, it suggests solutions to identify issues and problems. This research finds that arising problems relating to jointly acquired property claims particularly in after death claims often involved jurisdictional conflicts between syariah and civil courts. This is because, claims made on the deceased's property involve probate and letter of administration. Eventhough legal provisions determines that claims on jointly acquired property fall under the jurisdiction of syariah court, matters pertaining to probate and letter of administration fall under the jurisdiction of civil court. Such a scenario causes confusions in execution of orders. This research therefore calls for amendments on related legal provisions to include provisions pertaining to after death claims. Para 4(e)(ii), List I - Federal List of Ninth Schedule of Federal Constitution should simultaneously be amended to resolve the conflicts.