Legal Information

Firm news, insights on new laws, and frequently asked questions.

30 2026-9

Do I need to pay taxes when inheriting a property?

In principle, the tax burden of inheriting property is very low. According to Article 6 of the Deed Tax Law, legal heirs who inherit the ownership of houses are exempt from deed tax. Inheritance is temporarily exempt from personal income tax, mainly involving registration fees, stamp duty and notarization fees. The specific details shall be subject to the determination of the tax authorities.

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30 2026-9

How many lawyers are needed to witness a will?

The number of lawyers required to witness a will depends on the form of the will. For a will written by a proxy or a printed will, according to the Civil Code, it requires at least two witnesses. Usually, two lawyers are arranged to be present together to witness the will. However, for a self-written will, no witnesses are needed.

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30 2026-9

Do stepchildren have the right to inherit the estate of their step-parents?

Whether stepchildren have the right to inherit the inheritance of their stepparents depends on whether a fostering relationship has been established. According to Articles 1072 and 1127 of the Civil Code, stepchildren who are supported and educated by their stepparents are first-order heirs. Those who are not supported after reaching adulthood generally do not have the right to inherit.

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30 2026-9

After the divorce, do I have to pay off the debts owed by my spouse?

After divorce, whether the debts incurred by a spouse during the marriage need to be repaid depends on whether they are considered marital joint debts. According to Article 1064 of the Civil Code, debts used for common life or joint expressions of intent must be repaid jointly. Debts that exceed daily needs and are not used for common life are considered personal debts.

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30 2026-9

After the divorce cooling-off period, if one does not go to pick up the divorce certificate, do they need to reapply for it?

If the couple fails to jointly apply for a divorce certificate within 30 days after the expiration of the divorce cooling-off period, it shall be deemed that they have withdrawn their application for divorce registration. They must re-apply for divorce and go through the cooling-off period again. They can also choose to file a lawsuit for divorce, which is not subject to the cooling-off period res...

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30 2026-9

How to investigate a spouse's hidden bank deposits and real estate assets?

When investigating a spouse's hidden deposits and real estate, the investigation should be conducted through legal channels such as court investigation orders and lawyers obtaining the evidence with the orders, as well as property preservation. According to Article 1092 of the Civil Code, the transferring party may receive a smaller share or no share at all, and it is crucial to avoid obtaining ev...

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30 2026-9

Do I need to hire a lawyer to change the custody arrangement?

To change the custody relationship, there must be statutory grounds, such as the other party suffering from a serious illness, failing to fulfill their obligations, or abusing their children. Hiring a lawyer can improve the quality of evidence collection and defense, but it cannot guarantee the outcome. It is recommended to first evaluate the statutory circumstances before making a decision.

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30 2026-9

How is the law applied in the case of marriage and divorce with foreigners?

When a Chinese citizen marries or divorces a foreigner, the law applicable to foreign-related civil relations shall be observed: for litigation divorce, the law of the forum, that is, Chinese law, shall apply; for agreement divorce, the law of the habitual residence or the nationality of the parties shall apply; and if both parties are foreigners with residences in China, China may exercise jurisd...

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30 2026-9

If I file for divorce due to domestic violence, can the court grant a divorce in one go?

When facing domestic violence and suing for divorce, if the evidence is sufficient and the mediation is unsuccessful, the court should grant the divorce; if the evidence is weak at first, the divorce may not be granted, and the couple needs to live apart for at least one year before suing again; it is recommended to report the case to the police for a medical examination and to apply for a protect...

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30 2026-9

What should I do if the other party won't let me see the child?

If the other party refuses to let you see the child, you can legally claim the right to visitation and apply for enforcement based on the divorce agreement or judgment. The court may impose fines or detention, but will not force the child to be with you. It is recommended to first collect evidence of the obstruction.

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29 2026-9

How to appeal against the first-instance judgment if you are not satisfied with it?

If you are not satisfied with the first-instance judgment, you can appeal within 15 days after the judgment is served, submit an appeal statement and pay the fees; the second-instance court will review the facts and errors in the application of the law, and the decision to change the judgment will depend on whether there was a wrong judgment in the first instance.

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