Acceptance of a benefit given by a will constitutes an election by the legatee to take under the will, if he had knowledge of his right to elect and of those circumstances which would influence the judgment of a reasonable man in making an election, or if he waives inquiry into the circumstances.
Illustrations:
(i) A is owner of an estate called SultanpurKhurd, and has a life interest in anotuer estate called SultanpurBuzurg to which upon his death his son B will be absolutely entitled.
The will of A gives the estate of SultanpurKhurd to B, and the estate of SultanpurBuzurg to C. B, in ignorance of his own right to the estate of. SultanpurBuzurg, allows C to take possession of it, and enters into possession of the estate of SultanpurKhurd. B has not confirmed the bequest of SultanpurBuzurg to C.
(ii) B, the eldest son of A, is the possessor of an estate called Sultanpur. A bequeaths Sultanpur to C, and to B the residue of A's property. B having been informed by A's executors that the residue will amount to 5,000 rupees, allows C to take possession of Sultanpur.
He afterwards discovers that the residue does not amount to more than 500 rupees. B has not confirmed the bequest of the estate of Sultanpur to C.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 187
Section 187 defines when the acceptance of a benefit given by a will constitutes an Election to take under the will, establishing the legal threshold of conscious choice.
To establish an election under Section 187 against an adverse party, counsel must prove that the party accepted the legacy with full knowledge of the will's terms; obtaining written receipts or formal mutations under the will provides conclusive proof of election.