Inheritance
Estates, wills, forced-share claims, renunciation, contribution claims
Inheritance
An inheritance in Korea moves through several steps: identifying the heirs, locating the assets and debts, dividing the estate by agreement or through the family court, settling forced-share and contribution claims, and filing inheritance tax. Qualified acceptance and renunciation must be decided within three months of learning of the death.
Daehanjoongang Law Firm handles wills and lifetime gift planning, estate division, forced-share claims, qualified acceptance and renunciation, contribution claims and the recovery of estate assets held by others.
What we handle
Estate investigation (assets, debts, accounts, real estate)
Division of the estate by agreement or court decision
Wills and their validity
Forced-share (yuryubun) claims
Qualified acceptance and renunciation within three months
Contribution claims for heirs who supported the deceased
Recovery of assets transferred before death
What foreign nationals should know
Foreign heirs inherit on the same terms as Korean heirs, but every step requires proof of the family relationship, usually foreign civil records with an apostille and a Korean translation.
The three-month deadline for qualified acceptance or renunciation runs from the day you learned of the death and your status as heir; heirs abroad often learn late, and we document that date carefully.
Korean bank accounts and real estate can be investigated through the government's integrated inheritance search service with a power of attorney, so you do not need to travel for every step.
Inheritance tax is filed in Korea on Korean assets; your home country may tax the same inheritance, and we coordinate with tax advisers on treaties and credits.
Frequently asked questions
Deciding within three months whether to accept, accept with limits or renounce. If debts may exceed assets, qualified acceptance protects you. We can file from abroad with a power of attorney.
Korean law guarantees certain heirs a minimum share even when a will or lifetime gifts gave the estate to others. The claim must be brought within one year of learning of the death and the gift or bequest.
Yes, by a written agreement signed by all heirs, which is then used for bank withdrawals and registry transfers. If any heir disagrees, the family court decides the division.
Often yes, if it meets the formal requirements of the place where it was made, but proving that in a Korean court takes translated and legalized documents. We review the will before relying on it.
This page provides general information about Korean law and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case. Consultations are paid and are held in English or with an interpreter.