Inheritance & wills in Mali

Code des Personnes et de la Famille 2011 (Arts. 751-756) — Muslim citizens may opt for Islamic Maliki faraid via written declaration; without such declaration, civil intestacy applies with equal per-capita shares.

Wasiyyah ≤ 1/3 in writing before notaire; explicit declaration of Islamic personal-status regime required. Handwritten wills accepted with 2 witnesses + subsequent notary deposit.

Notaire (Chambre des notaires) under the Ministry of Justice; Tribunal civil (Tribunal de Grande Instance) issues the certificate of heirship (acte de notoriété).

2 adult Muslim witnesses (male; or 1 male + 2 female under Maliki practice).

Collecting authority

Haut Conseil Islamique du Mali (HCI)

Tax relief

Donations to officially recognised assoc deductible up to 5 % of income

Maximum relief

5 % of taxable income

Notes

Voluntary; HCI coordinates mosque-level collection.

Civil forced-heirship by default; Islamic regime by declaration under Code des Personnes et de la Famille 2011 Art. 751.

Tribunal civil issues acte de notoriété; banks and the Direction nationale des domaines follow. Family disputes referred to a juge des tutelles.

Maliki dominant. The Haut Conseil Islamique du Mali (HCIM) issues fatwa references; declare madhhab + Islamic regime explicitly.

• Customary local law often interferes with court enforcement — keep notarised copies.
• Northern regions (Tuareg, Songhai) apply customary usage that may prevail without explicit Islamic-regime declaration.

• Ministère de la Justice
• Haut Conseil Islamique du Mali (HCIM)

• Is Islamic inheritance (faraid) legally recognised in Mali?

  Code des Personnes et de la Famille 2011 (Arts. 751-756) — Muslim citizens may opt for Islamic Maliki faraid via written declaration; without such declaration, civil intestacy applies with equal per-capita shares.

• What makes an Islamic will (Wasiyyah) legally valid in Mali?

  Wasiyyah ≤ 1/3 in writing before notaire; explicit declaration of Islamic personal-status regime required. Handwritten wills accepted with 2 witnesses + subsequent notary deposit.

• Where do I register my will in Mali?

  Notaire (Chambre des notaires) under the Ministry of Justice; Tribunal civil (Tribunal de Grande Instance) issues the certificate of heirship (acte de notoriété).

• Does Mali have forced-heirship rules that override an Islamic will?

  Civil forced-heirship by default; Islamic regime by declaration under Code des Personnes et de la Famille 2011 Art. 751.

• How does probate work in Mali?

  Tribunal civil issues acte de notoriété; banks and the Direction nationale des domaines follow. Family disputes referred to a juge des tutelles.

• How many witnesses do I need for a will in Mali?

  2 adult Muslim witnesses (male; or 1 male + 2 female under Maliki practice).

• What are the most common Islamic-will pitfalls in Mali?

  Customary local law often interferes with court enforcement — keep notarised copies. Northern regions (Tuareg, Songhai) apply customary usage that may prevail without explicit Islamic-regime declaration.