My parents, who lived in a village near Madurai, Tamil Nadu, passed away a few years ago, leaving me, their only son, with their 4-acre farm and home. I’m looking to transfer these properties into my name. Will I have to pay stamp duty for this transfer? Could you please explain the process involved?

Yes, you will need to pay stamp duty on the transfer of the properties into your name. This is because you are inheriting the properties from your parents. The stamp duty rate in Tamil Nadu will depend on the value of the property. The process involves obtaining a succession certificate from a competent court, paying the applicable stamp duty, and registering the transfer with the sub-registrar’s office.