Contact Adrian Liu in English or Chinese with a short summary. June Zhang, a PRC-licensed attorney admitted in 1999, leads inheritance and family-property matters. We both practise in Xiamen, under licence nos. 13502202110350464 and 13502199911278128. We confirm the location and scope of the work before accepting instructions.
Which situation sounds like yours?
A parent has died, leaving property in China
You may know the address but not who holds the ownership records, whether the property was jointly owned, or who else may inherit. We can review what is known, identify gaps in the family and asset records, and assess the appropriate next step.
The heirs live in different countries
Names, identity documents and family records may differ across jurisdictions. We help identify the Chinese-law questions and the document requirements to check with the authority handling the matter.
There is a foreign will or an overseas estate process
A will, a grant issued overseas and a Chinese property record answer different questions. We assess the Chinese-law side and coordinate with overseas counsel where advice on another jurisdiction is needed.
The family disagrees about the estate
A disagreement may concern the heirs, a will, ownership or distribution. June reviews the available records and whether negotiation, notarisation or proceedings are appropriate. We act for the identified client after a conflict check.
How the work starts
- Send a short summary to Adrian. Tell us where you live, the Chinese city connected to the estate, the type of asset and any approaching deadline. Keep the first message non-confidential.
- Confirm the client and scope. We check conflicts, identify the responsible lawyer and agree fees in writing. Overseas counsel can remain involved.
- Agree a document and procedure plan. June identifies the questions to resolve and the records required. Translation, notarisation, authentication, court and third-party costs are considered separately where applicable.
Questions from overseas heirs
Do I need to travel to China?
Do not book travel on the assumption that everything requires an in-person visit—or that everything can be done remotely. We first check the procedure, the receiving authority and whether a representative can complete particular steps. Any personal attendance requirement needs to be confirmed for your matter.
Does a will made overseas settle everything in China?
It needs a specific review. Chinese conflict-of-laws rules distinguish the form of a will from its effect, and also address intestate succession and estate administration separately. The place of the assets and the deceased’s circumstances matter. See the PRC Law on the Application of Laws to Foreign-Related Civil Relations, Articles 31–34.
What documents should I gather?
Start by listing the records you already have rather than ordering every possible certificate. Our document preparation guide for overseas heirs explains the main groups and the questions to ask before paying for formalities.
How much will it cost?
Inheritance work is quoted for the actual scope. The number of heirs, asset locations, missing records, disputes and overseas documents affect the work required. Fees quoted for trade matters do not automatically apply to inheritance work.
Tell Adrian about the estate
Begin with the country you live in, the Chinese city involved, the general family situation and any deadline. We will explain the next step and who would handle the matter.
Contact Adrian about an inheritance →
General information about our services, not advice on a particular estate. We advise on mainland Chinese law and coordinate with counsel in other jurisdictions where needed.