Inheritance Law
Seoul Law Group assists clients living overseas and foreign-national heirs with a wide range of Korean inheritance matters, including asset administration, tax filing, and fund transfers. Our attorneys help clients navigate the inheritance process in Korea – including communicating and negotiating with co-heirs when applicable – and resolve potential disputes involving inherited assets and family relationships. The firm also advises on wills, trusts, and other estate-planning measures designed to minimize future conflicts with family members and relatives in Korea.
“Death is not the end. It’s a start.”
Property Division
Unless a client is the sole heir, an estate must be divided among all heirs according to the deceased’s will or, in the absence of a will, under Korean intestacy law. Grief can complicate these discussions, and this applies to all heirs involved, not only our client. Seoul Law Group handles estate division efficiently and objectively, so clients don’t have to navigate these negotiations on their own during a difficult time.
Acceptance and Renunciation
Heirs in Korea are not automatically responsible for accepting an inheritance – the law allows an heir to renounce an inheritance entirely, accept it with standard unlimited liability, or accept it on a limited basis so that inherited debts are paid only out of inherited assets. Each option carries strict deadlines and legal consequences, particularly for heirs who discover that an estate carries more debt than assets. Seoul Law Group advises clients on which option best protects their interests and handles the required court filings within the applicable deadlines.
Legitime
Korean law reserves a portion of an estate – known as the statutory reserved portion, or legitime – for certain heirs, regardless of the terms of a will or lifetime gifts made by the deceased. An heir who receives less than this reserved portion may bring a claim against other heirs or beneficiaries to recover the shortfall. Seoul Law Group represents clients both in asserting legitime claims and in defending against them.
