[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, there are three main ways to inquire about the deceased's deposits and financial assets. Firstly, applying for a notarization of inheritance rights. The notary institution will verify the deceased's deposits and other property according to the heir's application and in accordance with the "Notarization Law of the People's Republic of China" (effective from March 1, 2006). Secondly, applying to the people's court for investigation and evidence collection in inheritance litigation. The court will request account information and transaction details from banks, securities companies, and other institutions. Thirdly, entrusting a lawyer to apply for an investigation order to inquire about the relevant information during the litigation process. The scope of inquiry is generally limited to the deceased's deposits, financial assets, funds, securities, and insurance. According to Article 1122 of the "Civil Code of the People's Republic of China" (effective from January 1, 2021), inheritance refers to the personal legal property left by a natural person at the time of death. If the property belongs to the couple's joint property, the spouse's share should be separated out first. Inquiries involving privacy and compliance must be conducted through legal channels and personal information of others cannot be obtained illegally.

I. Problem Background and Typical Scenarios

In inheritance disputes, the difficulty often lies not in how much to divide, but in "what assets are involved". A typical scenario is: an elderly person suddenly passes away, and the family only knows there are savings but not the specific account and amount; the deceased purchased financial products, funds, and insurance before his death, but the family does not have access to the product information; one party claims that there is hardly any savings left, while the other party suspects that the assets have been transferred. Beijing area courts and notary offices have mature practices in asset inquiry, but all require applicants to provide identity, kinship, and relevant proof, and must proceed through legal procedures. Therefore, the evidence-gathering strategy directly affects whether the inheritance can be clarified.

II. Key points of contention

First, who is entitled to apply for an inquiry, and what supporting documents are required. Second, the differences in scope and legal effect between notarized inquiries and litigation investigations. Third, whether financial assets, funds, insurance, pensions, etc. are included in the scope of inquiry and division. Fourth, how to divide the marital joint property and calculate the deceased's share. Fifth, how to assert claims after discovering records of suspected asset transfers. These issues determine whether the estate can be fully investigated and divided in an orderly manner.

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Lawyers

Henglue Law Firm once handled a case involving the intertwined issues of testamentary succession and statutory succession. The decedent died in 2020 and left two properties in Beijing to his parents and wife in his will. The parents claimed to inherit all the property on the grounds that the decedent suffered from mental illness and the marriage was invalid, and requested the division of funds such as deposits, funeral expenses, pensions, housing provident funds, enterprise annuities, and insurance compensation. After accepting the wife's entrustment, the lawyer argued that the marriage was legal and valid, and that the stepchildren who formed a guardianship relationship were the successors. He also emphasized that the couple's jointly owned property should first be allocated to the spouse's share. Regarding deposits, housing provident funds, and enterprise annuities, the lawyer helped sort out the account and deposit information and verified the composition of the funds through legal procedures. For those belonging to the couple's jointly owned property, the lawyer first allocated half to the spouse, and the remaining portion was inherited by the successors according to law. The two properties were handled according to the will, and the remaining estate was divided according to statutory succession. The court ultimately determined the shares and liquidation values of deposits, housing provident funds, enterprise annuities, and pensions on a case-by-case basis. This case shows that clarifying the scope of assets and accurately determining their ownership are prerequisites for inheritance division. The case was handled by Beijing Henglue Law Firm.Li YonghuiThe attorney (practice license number: 11101199611955812, subject to the document issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent.

IV. Practical Suggestions and Legal Basis

Action list: First, sort out the known clues, such as bank cards, financial management contracts, insurance policies, and deposit receipts; Second, for undisputed cases, conduct property inquiries through inheritance notarization; Third, for disputed cases, apply to the court for investigation and evidence collection or apply for a lawyer's investigation order in litigation; Fourth, distinguish between personal property and marital joint property, and first extract the spouse's share; Fifth, if abnormal transaction records are found, preserve them in time and assert corresponding rights. Legal basis: The "Notarization Law of the People's Republic of China" (effective from March 1, 2006) regarding the provisions on verification by notarization agencies, Articles 1122, 1127, and 1153 of the "Civil Code of the People's Republic of China" (effective from January 1, 2021), and the "Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China" (amended in 2023, effective from January 1, 2024) regarding the provisions on investigation and evidence collection. For cases involving inheritance property inquiries and division, reference can be made to the relevant provisions.\nInheritance of property and division of family assetsServices. The specific application shall be subject to the currently effective laws, regulations, and judicial rulings.

5. Henglu Law Firm's Advice

Firstly, inquiries must be conducted through legal channels. Obtaining others' account information without authorization carries legal risks. Secondly, notarized inquiries are suitable for uncontested situations, while disputes should be investigated through litigation. Thirdly, financial management, insurance, provident funds, and corporate annuities are all within the scope of estate management, so don't just focus on deposits. Fourthly, dividing joint marital property is often an overlooked step. Fifthly, if you find any abnormal transaction records, you should promptly preserve the evidence and assert your rights. For financial products and cross-border assets, you can seek professional assistance for comprehensive management.\nFinancial capital and cross-border transactions involving foreign entitiesFor reference, you can check the sections related to property preservation and enforcementCreditor's rights and debts, and enforcementThe column provides advice on family property and marriage-related issuesDivorce litigation and family disputesThe team involved in property disposal can be contacted for cooperationReal estate transactions and construction projectsService.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can the heir inquire about the deceased's bank deposits?

It can be inquired through legal channels. If there are no disputes, an inheritance right notarization can be applied for, and the notary agency will verify the property under the name of the decedent; if there are disputes, the court can be applied to investigate and collect evidence in the litigation, or the lawyer can apply for an investigation order. Individuals have no right to inquire into others' account information from banks on their own.

Q2: What materials are required for the inquiry?

Generally, the following documents are required: the death certificate of the decedent, the proof of the applicant's kinship with the decedent, the applicant's identity certificate, and the basic information of the decedent, such as their name and ID number. There may be slight differences in requirements between different institutions and procedures. For specific details, please refer to the requirements of the notary office or the court.

Q3: Can I check my financial management, insurance, and provident fund information all at once?

Items belonging to the estate can be verified together. Deposits, wealth management products, funds, securities, the cash value of insurance policies, and the personal contributions in housing provident funds and enterprise annuities are usually included in the review scope. Insurance benefits with personal exclusivity belong to the beneficiaries, and whether they should be included needs to be determined based on the type of insurance and the beneficiaries.

Q4: Is the money found considered a marital joint asset?

It is necessary to make a distinction. Deposits and investment income obtained during the existence of the marriage relationship generally belong to the couple's joint property. When dividing the property, the spouse's share should be extracted first, and the rest shall be inherited by the heirs as inheritance; premarital property and personal property acquired after marriage shall be identified separately, based on the source of the funds and the time of acquisition.

Q5: What should I do if I find that the inheritance money has been transferred away?

You can claim in the lawsuit that the other party should return the funds or bear corresponding responsibilities, and apply for property preservation to prevent the funds from continuing to be lost. At the same time, keep evidence such as transfer records and account statements to prove the destination and amount of the funds; if it involves forging debts or malicious misappropriation, it may also constitute improper disposition of the estate.

The above questions and answers are mainly based on the judicial practice in Beijing. There may be differences in the interpretation of the law in different regions. It is recommended to consult a professional lawyer based on the specific circumstances of the case.

If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the evidence materials, so as to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Legal services for inheritance·Attorney Li Yonghui·Beijing Henglu Law Firm

Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on current effective laws and regulations and publicly available adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. If you encounter disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.