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Probate / inheritance laws in Japan

BJ Brown

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3 Oct 2018
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My fiancé is Japanese, but no longer is a Japanese citizen and lives in the USA. Her father, in Japan, died 3 months ago. Her father's will (with his chop) designates that she should inherit everything, but she has 2 siblings. None of them live in Japan either, but they are both Japanese citizens. Also, he owned a condo in Saitama.
She needs to talk with a lawyer to discuss probate / inheritance proceedings. Any suggestions?

Please contact me, we live in Maryland
 
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I thought Japan is one of those countries that doesn't allow parents to leave everything to a favourite child. Something like 50% of the estate can be left to one kid and the other 50% should be split equally. Anyway, like you say, better find a lawyer. Hope you can report back what you find - I mean general info, not your specific family details.
 
I thought Japan is one of those countries that doesn't allow parents to leave everything to a favourite child. Something like 50% of the estate can be left to one kid and the other 50% should be split equally. Anyway, like you say, better find a lawyer. Hope you can report back what you find - I mean general info, not your specific family details.

Usually the wife gets 50% and the kids share.
If no surviving spouse, in fact, the kids share equally, that is if the will says so.
A child can and will be left out of a will, but it can be contested.
Also adopted children can inherit the assets. It does get very complicated if the adopted is not in the family register here in Japan.

A good source for attorneys is this magazine: Hiragana Times
I recommend you buy it, they do ship overseas. One year is 10000 yen.
They do have the digital version for 6000 yen, but I don't know if it has the advertisements in it.



Hiragana Times Magazine

good luck
 
If the father has left a will, and the will is valid, the will takes precedence over the statutory division among the legal heirs (with some limitations). The father is entitled to will everything to one of his children.
遺言書は法定相続より優先するって本当?その答えと理由を説明します。 | 明徳司法書士事務所(奈良県王寺町)
The law is briefly explained above (in Japanese). If you search for English speaking lawyers in Japan, you should get plenty of hits.
 
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