In Biate, the youngest son (Itlum) inherits the family properties. Women are not allowed to inherit family properties. The eldest and the middle sons also have no right to claim the family properties. The youngest son is the formal heir who lives with his parents and also has the responsibility of looking after his parents in their old age. But there are no hard and fast rules with regards to inheritance. All sons and daughters can share the family properties according to the will of their father. The clan name is used as surname by the whole family; the sons take his father surname throughout their life.
