[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, family law consultants can assist in handling inheritance matters. According to Article 1127 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (effective January 1, 2021), inheritance shall be inherited in accordance with the statutory order of spouses, children, parents, etc.; Article 1133 allows natural persons to make wills to dispose of their personal property. Family businesses often encounter intertwined issues of equity, intangible assets, and inheritance, so it is recommended to sort out the asset list and will arrangements as soon as possible. In the event of ownership disputes, you can refer to the relevant provisions of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China.Inheritance succession and family property division servicesEvaluate the plan and consult a professional lawyer with the ownership certificate.

I. Problem Background and Typical Scenarios

The scope of services provided by family law consultants is often misunderstood as only handling divorce cases. Typical scenarios include: disputes over inheritance shares among children after the death of elderly relatives, leaving behind real estate, savings, and equity; conflicts between equity inheritance and corporate management control after the death of the founder of a family business; difficulties in distinguishing between pre-marital personal property and post-marital joint property during inheritance; and disputes over the ownership of intangible assets such as artworks and trademarks among family members. Such matters involve both inheritance law and corporate and intellectual property arrangements, requiring cross-disciplinary coordination. For matters involving family business assets, it may be appropriate to combine them with other legal services.Intellectual property protection and corporate legal servicesPlan them together.

II. Key points of dispute

The disputes over inheritance transactions focus on three aspects. Firstly, the scope and order of heirs: whether widowed daughters-in-law or sons-in-law fulfill the main obligation of supporting their parents, and whether there are circumstances of losing the right of inheritance, which directly affect the share of inheritance. Secondly, the definition of the scope of inheritance: pre-marital property, half of the couple's joint property, and family-owned property need to be divided before inheritance, which is easily confused with the rights and interests of the surviving spouse. Thirdly, the ownership of intangible assets: the works created by family members, trademarks, and the boundaries of enterprises often become the focus of disputes. For such intertwined disputes, reference can be made to the relevant provisions of the Inheritance Law of the People's Republic of China.Business and contract dispute services for enterprisesClarify the ownership rights.

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Law Firm

Henglue Law Firm has accumulated practical experience in disputes involving family assets and corporate intangible assets. Taking a dispute over the ownership of copyright in artworks as an example: Zhang * independently created and registered the artworks, and after Jin * inherited the equity of "Beijing ESS Company", he sued in his own name to claim that the copyright in the works belonged to the company. After lawyers Liu Yuanyuan and Xue Suhua of Beijing Henglue Law Firm took over the case, they carefully analyzed dozens of legal documents to clarify the process of the parties' competition for control and intellectual property rights. They pointed out that the works were created by Zhang * personally and were not works related to his job, and the invalidation of the trademark registration did not affect the independent ownership of the copyright. In the end, the plaintiff withdrew the lawsuit, and the lifeline of the company was preserved. This case reminds us that the ownership of family assets, especially intangible assets, should be clearly defined in writing at the outset to avoid disputes after the death of the owner. This case was handled by Beijing Henglue Law Firm.Liu YuanyuanThe lawyer (practice license number: 11101202011201094, subject to the document issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

The core basis is the Inheritance Chapter of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (implemented on January 1, 2021): Article 1127 stipulates the scope and order of statutory heirs; Article 1123 clarifies that legacy and support agreements take precedence over wills, and wills take precedence over statutory inheritance; Article 1133 confirms that natural persons can make wills to dispose of their personal property; Article 1153 distinguishes between marital joint property and inheritance. Practical suggestions: Make a legal will during your lifetime and keep it safely; plan the inheritance and governance of equity in family enterprises in advance; preserve and register evidence for intangible assets. For cross-border or complex assets, you can consult with relevant professionals for assistance.Special services and other case servicesCoordination.

5. Henglue Law Firm's Reminder

The key to inheritance matters lies in "advance planning and clear ownership records". It is recommended that families clarify ownership in writing at the beginning of establishing a business and acquiring assets, especially for intangible assets such as artworks and trademarks. A valid will made by the elderly can significantly reduce disputes after their death. When encountering disputes over the scope of heirs, the scope of the estate, or the ownership of intangible assets, it is advisable to consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the relevant materials. This case was handled by Beijing Henglu Law Firm.Liu YuanyuanThe lawyer (practice certificate number: 11101202011201094, subject to the certificate issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can family law consultants really handle matters such as inheritance?

Yes. The scope of a family law consultant's services typically includes comprehensive matters such as marriage, inheritance, and family property arrangements, with inheritance-related matters (statutory inheritance, testamentary inheritance, bequests, and estate division) constituting one of their core services. If the inheritance assets include corporate equity, real estate, or intangible assets, the consultant can also collaborate with corporate and intellectual property professionals to provide cross-disciplinary solutions. It's important to note that pure inheritance disputes can be resolved through litigation or mediation by family lawyers; however, if the control of the family business is involved, it's necessary to simultaneously design mechanisms to separate equity and assets in the inheritance arrangements to avoid governance deadlocks after the death of a family member.

Q2: What documents do I need to prepare for the inheritance process?

Generally, the following documents are required: the decedent's death certificate, proof of kinship (household registration, marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.), certificates of inheritance rights (property ownership certificates, deposit slips, share certificates, work registration certificates, etc.), wills (if any), and witness materials. For the inheritance of intangible assets, it also requires the original draft of the work, evidence of registration time and ownership of rights. The more complete the materials are, the smoother the inheritance or mediation process will be; if some certificates are missing, the rights can be confirmed and strengthened through retrieving archives, notarization, or litigation. It is recommended to first make a list and then fix each item one by one, and if necessary, to seek assistance from a lawyer to collect evidence and coordinate with notarization.

Q3: Approximately how much does it cost to hire a family law consultant?

The fees depend on the complexity of the case and are usually charged on a per-case basis, as a percentage of the case value, or on an hourly basis. The fees for simple will drafting and inheritance consultations are relatively low; for cases involving equity, multiple properties, or litigation, the fees will be higher due to the larger workload and case value. The specific amounts are subject to the agency contract signed between the law firm and the client. It is recommended to clarify the charging methods and scope before entrusting the lawyer, to avoid subsequent disputes. It is often possible to reduce the overall cost by intervening in inheritance-related matters as early as possible, while delaying action may lead to the loss of evidence and result in higher costs.

Q4: How long does it typically take to handle inheritance matters?

An uncontested inheritance, once notarized or agreed upon by all heirs, can usually be completed within weeks to months. However, if it involves litigation or ownership disputes, the process may be extended to half a year or even longer, depending on the completeness of the evidence, the cooperation of the other party, and the court's scheduling. Cases involving the confirmation of ownership of intangible assets take longer because they require investigating the creation and registration facts. Fixing materials and clarifying plans as early as possible is the key to shortening the process. When disputes arise, timely consulting a lawyer is essential to avoid missing the opportunity for evidence collection and mediation.

Q5: If I find that my inheritance has been disposed of by other heirs without my permission, what should I do?

First, secure the evidence: preserve the ownership certificates, transaction contracts, transfer records, and communication records of the assets that have been disposed of to prove that the property belongs to the estate and was disposed of without authorization. Second, assert rights in accordance with the relevant rules of the Civil Code: before the division of the estate, the assets are jointly owned, and unauthorized disposition may constitute infringement or be invalid. You can request the return of the assets, compensation for losses, or confirmation of the invalidity of the disposition. If no agreement can be reached, you can initiate inheritance disputes or property protection lawsuits, and apply for property preservation as needed. It is recommended to consult a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid the assets being transferred again and becoming difficult to recover.

The above Q&A is 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 currently facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the relevant evidence materials, to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Intellectual property protection legal services·Attorney Liu Yuanyuan·Beijing Henglu Law Firm

Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and publicly available adjudication rules, and is provided 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 a timely manner.