"Only Childhood Friend Is Trustworthy"... Controversy Over 4.4 Billion Won Will Left by Chinese University Student

Shanghai Student, 19, Drafts Notarized Will
Bequeaths Apartment and 4.4 Billion Won in Assets to Friend
"I Don't Want My Inheritance to Go to My Parents' New Spouses"

A 19-year-old university student in China has sparked controversy after leaving a will stating that he would bequeath his entire fortune, worth approximately 4.4 billion won, not to his parents but to a childhood friend.

Photo for article understanding. Pixabay

According to foreign media outlets, including the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on July 13, a 19-year-old university student surnamed Li from Shanghai recently drafted a notarized will transferring his assets—including an apartment registered in his name and several million yuan in bank deposits, totaling 20 million yuan (about 4.4 billion won)—to a longtime friend. The controversy has grown because this vast fortune was reportedly gifted to him by his parents.

The decision to leave his entire estate to a third party, bypassing his legal heirs (his parents), is rooted in a complex family history. Li's parents divorced and each remarried. As a result of being separated from his parents during childhood, he says there is little emotional bond remaining. Additionally, his enjoyment of high-risk extreme sports and his desire to prepare for unexpected accidents contributed to his decision to write a will.

Li explained, "If I pass away and my parents inherit my assets, they will essentially end up with their new spouses, who are, in effect, strangers to me. Instead, I believe it is right to leave my inheritance to my hometown friend, who is the only person I have trusted and relied on while growing up together over the years."

The Civil Code of China stipulates that the primary legal heirs are the spouse, children, and parents. However, it also permits the testator to bequeath property to third parties or organizations, so Li's will is legally valid. The China Will Registration Center, which handled the notarization, explained, "If a third party is designated as the heir, they must declare their intention to accept the inheritance within 60 days from the date the will takes effect. If this period is exceeded, it is considered a forfeiture of inheritance."

This case clearly illustrates the rapidly spreading trend among young people in China to draft wills. According to the latest annual report from the China Will Registration Center, the number of registered wills has exceeded 400,000. The average age of testators has dropped from 77 to 67, and recently the proportion of registrations among those born in the 1980s and 2000s has noticeably increased.

A local notary public expert told the media, "Nowadays, young people in China view drafting wills at an early age as a reasonable asset management strategy, especially to safeguard property or inherited assets acquired before marriage. The rise in dual-income couples without children (DINKs) and singles is also a contributing factor."

As this story spread, opinions on Chinese social networking services (SNS) were sharply divided. Critics of Li argued, "Even if the relationship is distant, the money ultimately came from his parents, so giving it to a friend goes against what is right," and, "He is at an age where values can change, so this decision is premature." On the other hand, many supported him, saying, "It is understandable that he wants to exclude his parents' new spouses," and, "I envy Li for having a true friend whom he trusts enough to entrust his entire fortune to."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.