Is Zakat due on inheritance that is not received until a few years have passed?

Q: A man passes away leaving a wife and three children. The process of sorting out his estate takes 2-3 years in which time the family does not know exactly how much has been left behind and therefore they don’t know how much the are entitled to. Eventually the funds are received by the respective individuals. 

a) Is any Zakat due on them for the 2-3 year period of uncertainty?

b) Is any Zakat due immediately on receipt of the inheritance? Or do they simply include whatever they have left from the inheritance in their calculation on the next Zakat anniversary?

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب

A:

a)       No zakat is due on inheritance until it is received.

b)      Once the inheritance is received they will include any zakatable assets in their calculation on the next zakat anniversary.

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