INHERITANCE MANAGEMENT: EXPLORING CHALLENGES AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

Ummu Sulaim Azmin; Khairil Faizal Khairi; Nur Hidayah Laili

Ummu Sulaim Azmin Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
Khairil Faizal Khairi Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
Nur Hidayah Laili Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia

Keywords: Blockchain, Technology, Inheritance, Management, Estate

Abstract

Effective inheritance management is essential to ensure the fair and timely distribution of a deceased person’s estate, including real estate, financial assets, and other properties, to rightful heirs. In Malaysia, inheritance administration is governed by different institutional frameworks involving the High Court, the Small Estate Distribution Section, and Amanah Raya Berhad, which have contributed to persistent challenges such as procedural delays, jurisdictional overlaps, limited inter-agency integration, human resource constraints, and inefficient systems. These challenges have resulted in prolonged estate settlement and reduced public confidence in inheritance administration. This study aims to explore the current challenges in inheritance management in Malaysia and to examine stakeholders’ acceptance of blockchain technology as a potential solution. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study employed purposive sampling to select four key stakeholders with extensive experience in inheritance management. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted both online and face-to-face and were analysed using thematic analysis supported by ATLAS.ti software. The findings reveal that inheritance management in Malaysia is hindered by overlapping jurisdictions between civil and Shariah institutions, weak data integration across administrative agencies, insufficient officers, and inefficient systems. Stakeholders perceive blockchain technology as a promising tool to address these challenges by enhancing efficiency, transparency, data integrity, and inter-agency coordination. Features such as immutable records, decentralized data sharing, and potential automation through smart contracts were viewed as particularly relevant for improving inheritance administration. However, concerns related to system integration, digital accessibility, governance, and dispute resolution remain critical considerations for implementation. This study contributes empirical insights into the application of blockchain within a dual legal and Shariah-based inheritance system and provides practical implications for policymakers seeking to modernize inheritance management through blockchain technology.

Author Biographies

Ummu Sulaim Azmin, Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia

Master Student

Khairil Faizal Khairi, Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia

Associate Professor

Nur Hidayah Laili, Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia

Senior Lecturer

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