The code of Hammurabi is one of oldest inheritance laws, and it was adopted, modified, and expanded by Greek, Roman, French, and English historians. Jewish inheritance law and the Code of Hammurabi originated at the same time or one after another, but it is not obvious to ascertain which one came first.

The first oldest religious law is the Jewish law of inheritance, evident in the Holy Book of Torah dating back earlier than 1300 BC.

The second oldest religious Inheritance law is the Islamic Inheritance law, evident from the Holy Quran and the book of Hadith. Jewish and Islamic Inheritance laws are based on belief with some variations in the legal application.

The rest of the inheritance laws created parts of the legal system. Inheritance laws have been an interesting subject for lawyers and attorneys. The timeline mentioned may not be accurate due to varied timelines of testimony from historians and scriptures. Nevertheless, it gives an overview of timelines of the origin of worldwide inheritance laws shown below.

1780 BC - Hammurabi Code 178-182 of Inheritance

1985 - Republic of China succession law

1956 - Hindu succession act originated from Mitakshara Law written in the 12th Century

1866 - Civil code of lower Canada

1865 - Indian succession act amended in 1925

1722 - Australian succession law adopted in colonization period

1720 - United States succession law adopted in colonization period

1066 - British succession law and statute of Wills passed in 1540

610 - Islamic law of Inheritance (i.e., Shariah) in the Holy Quran and Hadith