law: Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 
  22. Maintenance of dependants 
  (1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) the heirs of a
  
  deceased Hindu are bound to maintain the dependants of the deceased out of the
  
  estate inherited by them from the deceased.
  (2) Where a dependant has not obtained, by testamentary or
  
  intestate succession, any share in the estate of a Hindu dying after the
  
  commencement of this Act, the dependant shall be entitled, subject to the
  
  provisions of this Act, to maintenance from those who take the estate.
  (3) The liability of each of the persons who takes the estate
  
  shall be in proportion to the value of the share or part of the estate taken by
  
  him or her.
  (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2) or
  
  sub-section (3), no person who is himself or herself a dependant shall be
  
  liable to contribute to the maintenance of others, if he or she has obtained a
  
  share or part the value of which is, or would, if the liability to contribute
  
  were enforced, become less than what would be awarded to him or her by way of
  
  maintenance under this Act.