Can I include a clause in my will to disinherit a specific family member?

Under most personal laws applicable to self-acquired property, you generally have the freedom to distribute your property through a will as you see fit, including specifically excluding a particular child or family member, since a will overrides the default intestate succession rules that would otherwise apply.

That said, if the property in question is ancestral or joint family property rather than your own self-acquired property, your ability to freely dispose of it (including by excluding an heir) can be more limited, since other family members may already have an independent right by birth in that specific property.

Wills that unusually or completely exclude a natural heir, especially in favour of an unrelated party, are also sometimes more likely to face a legal challenge after your death — from the excluded heir alleging undue influence or lack of capacity — so it's worth having the will properly drafted, ideally with clear reasoning documented, and ensuring it's properly executed and witnessed to reduce the risk of a successful challenge. An estate planning lawyer can help you structure this in a way that's both legally effective and more resistant to later disputes.