This is a preparation guide from the website of Adrian Liu and June Zhang. It is not a universal filing checklist. The necessary documents depend on the estate and the procedure. June leads the inheritance work; Adrian is your initial contact in English or Chinese.

1. Make a short estate summary

Write down the date of death, the deceased’s last usual place of residence, the Chinese cities connected to the assets, and any deadline or request from an authority. State what you know and what remains uncertain. This gives the responsible lawyer a starting point without requiring a full document bundle in the first email.

2. List the family records available

After the conflict check, relevant records may include death, birth, marriage, divorce and adoption documents. A simple family tree helps explain relationships and earlier marriages. Do not assume that having one relationship certificate establishes every person’s entitlement.

3. Identify the assets and ownership records

For property, note the city and whether you have a title record or other ownership information. For bank accounts or other assets, list what records exist and who holds them. Separate an asset said to belong to the deceased from an asset whose ownership has actually been documented.

4. Keep wills and overseas estate papers together

Make a list of wills, amendments and any overseas probate or estate documents. Record where the originals are held. Do not discard an earlier version because a later document appears to replace it. The lawyer needs to understand the sequence before assessing its relevance in China.

5. Flag identity differences early

Different spellings, transliterations, former names or changed nationality may make it harder to connect the person in one record to the person in another. Note these differences in a short timeline. Confirm the required evidence before ordering replacement records.

6. Check the receiving authority before arranging formalities

Ask who will use the document, what form they require, and whether translation, notarisation, an Apostille or another authentication process is relevant. An Apostille concerns a document’s origin; it does not certify its contents or decide inheritance rights. See the HCCH explanation of the Apostille Convention.

The Convention entered into force for mainland China on 7 November 2023. Its use still depends on the document and the jurisdictions involved. Check the current Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidance and the receiving authority’s requirements.

A useful first message

I live in [country]. A family member has died and there may be [type of asset] in [Chinese city]. The family members are in [countries]. There is / may be a will. The immediate issue or deadline is [short explanation].

Use general descriptions at first. Please do not send passport scans, account numbers, property certificates or confidential family papers until we have completed a conflict check and agreed the next step.

What this preparation gives you

The aim is a clear list of known facts, missing records and the questions for the authority handling the estate. That allows a discussion about the work required, whether you may need to travel and which costs should be considered.

Ask Adrian about your next step →

Inheritance services for overseas heirs · Working with overseas counsel

General preparation information. A matter-specific document list must be confirmed by the responsible lawyer and the receiving authority.