In a bequest and support agreement dispute case in Fujian, the court ruled that the agreement is legal and valid, entitling the supporter to inherit all of the deceased's estate.

Case Summary

The decedent, Wang 2024, passed away on 1/10 due to illness. He left no spouse or children, and his parents had also predeceased him. He was survived only by his younger brother, Wang 2. In 2022/10, the decedent entered into a "Legacy Support Agreement" with the plaintiff, Chen, whereby Chen assumed the obligation to support the decedent during his lifetime and handle his funeral arrangements. Upon the decedent's death, all of his property would be bequeathed to Chen. After signing the agreement, Chen fully fulfilled these obligations by caring for the decedent's daily living needs, diet, and medical care until his passing, and subsequently arranged his funeral. Following the decedent's death, his brother, Wang 2, challenged the validity of the Legacy Support Agreement, claiming it was void and demanding that the estate be distributed according to statutory inheritance rules. The plaintiff, Chen, therefore filed suit to confirm the legality and validity of the Legacy Support Agreement and to inherit the entire estate of the decedent.

Key Dispute

1.Is the "Legacy and Support Agreement" signed by both parties legal and valid?

2.Did Plaintiff Chen fully fulfill the support obligations?

3.Does the plaintiff have the right to inherit all of Wang's estate?

Case Strategy

1.Fix the decedent's death certificate, proof of kinship, "Legacy-Support Agreement," evidence of plaintiff's fulfillment of support obligations, medical records, and receipts for funeral arrangements as core evidence.

2.Produce evidence that the "Legacy Support Agreement" signed by the plaintiff and defendant reflects their true intentions, complies with mandatory provisions of laws and administrative regulations, does not violate public order or good morals, and that both parties possess full civil capacity. The agreement is legally valid and binding on both parties.

3.Demonstrate that, in accordance with the Civil Code, a natural person may enter into a legacy-support agreement with an organization or individual other than an heir.

4.Under the agreement, the organization or individual assumes the obligation to support and care for the natural person during their lifetime and to handle their funeral arrangements, while enjoying the right to receive the bequest.

5.The plaintiff, Chen, has provided evidence demonstrating full compliance with the support obligations agreed upon in the contract. Chen cared for Wang's daily living needs, including meals and medical care, until Wang's passing, and also handled Wang's funeral arrangements. Accordingly, the plaintiff is entitled to inherit all of Wang's estate as stipulated in the agreement.

Processing Result

The court ruled that the "Legacy Support Agreement" signed by the decedent Wang and the plaintiff Chen in 2022 year 10 month is legal and valid; all of the decedent's estate shall be inherited by the plaintiff Chen; the defendant shall bear all litigation costs of this case.

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