I want to inherit the property left by my relatives, but I don't know how to do it?
Inheriting Hong Kong estates as a Taiwanese citizen involves different legal systems and documentation procedures, requiring collaboration between lawyers in both regions. Incorrect procedures can lead to rejection, delays, or even jeopardize rights. First Law, combining a team of Taiwanese and Hong Kong lawyers and notaries, provides comprehensive cross-border inheritance services to assist you in completing your Hong Kong estate inheritance application in Taiwan.

Join our official LINE account now to get an initial case assessment:

Join First Law's official LINE account

Why is it difficult for Taiwanese people to inherit Hong Kong's heritage?

  • Unfamiliar with Hong Kong inheritance laws
  • The heir is not in Hong Kong and cannot easily travel between the two places.
  • Documents requiring cross-border verification will be returned if the order is incorrect, and the process will have to be restarted.
  • This case requires collaboration between Taiwanese and Hong Kong lawyers; contacting them separately would take a significant amount of time.
  • Once the deadline is missed, the cost of making amends is extremely high.

FirstLaw, a professional law firm specializing in inheritance cases in Hong Kong.

Why choose FirstLaw?

  • One-stop service: covering the entire process, from document preparation and authentication to obtaining the court's acceptance document.
  • No need to go abroad: The entire process can be handled in Taiwan, allowing you to receive Hong Kong bank deposits, stocks, insurance proceeds, and dispose of real estate.
  • Professional qualifications guaranteed: Members are qualified as Hong Kong lawyers, Taiwan lawyers and notaries, and are fluent in Mandarin, English and Cantonese.
  • Precise Asset Search: Assists in investigating the distribution of overseas heritage and alleviates anxiety about unclear heritage information.
  • Extensive experience in success: We have assisted hundreds of clients in successfully inheriting their Hong Kong estates.

Hong Kong One-Stop Inheritance Service

Complete and comprehensive service scope

  • Legal opinion issued in Taiwan (applicable to Hong Kong courts)
  • Document Notarization and Authentication (For Cross-Border Use)
  • Overseas Heritage Survey and Asset Search
  • Hong Kong Estate Tax Declaration Assistance
  • Hong Kong bank account inheritance processing
  • Application for Letters of Administration
  • Probate application

Easy communication, professional response

We understand the difficulty heirs face in searching for documents and information. First Law provides the fastest and most convenient communication channels, enabling remote communication. Dedicated personnel will respond to questions immediately and intervene to assist from the very beginning of the case, making it easy and reassuring for heirs.

The entrustment can be completed in 5 steps.

  1. Join First Law's official LINE account

    Please contact us by joining First Law's official LINE account. You can search for ID: "@firstlaw" or click the button below.

  2. Initial communication of the case details

    We will confirm with you the type of estate, its location, the number of heirs and their kinship, and the applicable procedures for the case.

  3. Documents to be signed

    If you confirm your application, we will provide you with formal appointment and authorization documents for your signature to protect your rights.

  4. Receive progress report

    We will set up a dedicated LINE group for you, where any questions will be answered promptly by a designated person, and the progress of the case will be reported proactively.

  5. Case closed - Receive court case handling document

    We will deliver to you the official document issued by the Hong Kong court as proof that the inheritance process has been completed.

Join our official LINE account for immediate consultation.

In these difficult times, First Law will stand by you every step of the way.

For inheritance matters in Hong Kong, please consult a professional lawyer.

  • Effectively saves time in Hong Kong inheritance processing
  • Reduce the risk of document returns
  • It can be done in Taiwan.
  • Establish a project team, with multiple people working together to assist your case, to ensure maximum efficiency.
  • Case progress updates are provided regularly, giving you peace of mind by keeping track of the progress.

Our team

Lai Kwok Wing

Lawyer Li Guorong

Hong Kong lawyer

Lawyer Lin Weipei

Hong Kong lawyer

Attorney Yu Shuxing

Taiwanese lawyer
Private notaries under the Taipei District Court
Family Trust Planner

Director Chen Yixiong

Overseas Inheritance Department Head

Attorney Chen Peng'an

Taiwanese lawyer
Family Trust Planner

First Legal Success

For the property items on the list, First Law can handle inheritance. If the agency you need is not on the list, please feel free to contact us directly!

  • Hong Kong real estate
  • HSBC
  • HSBC Insurance
  • Hang Seng Bank
  • Hang Seng Insurance
  • Bank of East Asia
  • East Asia Securities
  • Citibank
  • Standard Chartered Bank
  • KGI Bank
  • Shanghai Commercial Bank
  • UBS UBS Group
  • UK-based insurance company, Yu Cheng Insurance
  • Lion Insurance
  • Prudential Group
  • Bank of China (Hong Kong)
  • Fubon Bank
  • Mega Bank
  • Yushan Bank
  • AXA Insurance
  • DBS Bank
  • Land Bank
  • UOB
  • Shenwan Hongyuan Futures
  • Jinghua Shanyi International Securities
  • Weijing Group

Common Issues in Hong Kong Inheritance

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The main documents required are: the deceased's death certificate, will (if any), the heir's identity documents, a transcript of their Taiwanese household registration, and an inheritance chart. Most importantly, a "Taiwan Legal Opinion (Affidavit of Foreign Law)" issued by a Taiwanese lawyer and conforming to Hong Kong common law requirements must be provided to prove the legitimacy of the heirs.

Generally, if the documents are complete and undisputed, it takes approximately 6 to 12 months from submission to the Probate Division of the High Court of Hong Kong to issuance of the notarized documents. First Legal, with its years of experience, can accurately ensure the correct format of notarized documents, avoiding delays due to court inquiries and effectively controlling the processing time.

First Law offers a one-stop service; if you entrust our firm to handle the matter, the heirs generally do not need to travel overseas. If you handle it yourself, you may need to travel to Hong Kong to attend the hearing proceedings.

After obtaining the "Letter of Appointment" issued by the Hong Kong court, the heir (or their appointed lawyer) needs to use this document to apply for settlement and transfer of assets with banks or securities firms such as HSBC, Hang Seng, and Bank of China. First Legal will assist in handling the complex bank connection process to ensure the smooth remittance of assets back to the Taiwan account designated by the heir.

In Hong Kong, inheritance can only be handled by lawyers; it is not possible to appoint someone without legal qualifications to represent you. It is recommended to engage a lawyer in the following situations:

  • The heir is not in Hong Kong and it is inconvenient for them to handle the matter in person.
  • Unfamiliar with Hong Kong laws and application procedures
  • The case involves multiple heirs
  • The document requires cross-border authentication.
  • Hope to save processing time

When conducting probate proceedings in Hong Kong, the High Court of Hong Kong usually requires Taiwanese heirs to provide an "Affidavit of Foreign Law" signed by a practicing lawyer, also known as a "lawyer's opinion".

1. A legal bridge across legal systems

Hong Kong follows a common law system, while Taiwan follows a civil law system. Hong Kong courts do not have direct knowledge of the inheritance provisions of Taiwan's Civil Code. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a qualified Taiwanese lawyer for professional legal advice on the following key points:

  • Order of legal heirs: Under Taiwanese law, who is eligible to receive this Hong Kong estate?
  • Inheritance distribution ratio: If there are multiple heirs, their respective legal shares (including an explanation of the right to claim the remaining property difference).
  • Document authenticity: Prove that documents such as the Taiwan household registration transcript and inheritance system table comply with Taiwan's legal procedures.
2. The key to the "high pass rate" of the first law

An unprofessional legal opinion can easily lead to multiple requisitions by Hong Kong courts, or even rejection, causing inheritance proceedings to be delayed for years. FirstLaw's strengths lie in:

  • Years of practical experience: We have a precise understanding of the Hong Kong Probate Registry's review logic for legal opinions from Taiwan.
  • One-stop notarization: Combining our firm's qualifications as a private notary, we can ensure that legal opinions and attachments (such as death certificates and inheritance documents) directly meet the adoption standards of Hong Kong courts after being certified in Taiwan.
  • Professional English Translation and Coordination: We provide English legal opinions that meet Hong Kong court standards and seamlessly coordinate with Hong Kong lawyers, significantly saving you processing time.

View more articles related to overseas inheritance.

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