‘Good deeds bring good fortune’: China man, 88, who leaves US$460,000 flat to caring fruit seller is challenged by relatives but court dismisses claim
- Octogenarian gifts all his property to man and his family for their care and support during his final years
- Elderly man’s three sisters and other family members had done nothing to support him
A court in Shanghai decided that a market stall owner should inherit the assets of an old man, including a property worth 3.3 million yuan (US$460,000), despite relatives challenging the validity of his will.
The deceased man, surnamed Ma, caused a sensation three years ago when notary officials witnessed his decision to leave his entire estate to a fruit seller who was not related to him.
The octogenarian gifted all his property to the man, surnamed Liu, and his family to thank them for the care and support they had given him in the last few years of his life.
Years ago, the elderly man invited Liu, his wife and their three children, who had been living in a shabby place, to move into his home and live with him.
When Ma died on December 31, 2021, his three sisters who also occupied the house, refused to hand his bank account certificates to Liu, insisting they were entitled to their brother’s money. So Liu took them to court.
Ma’s relatives said the agreement, signed between the old man and Liu in 2020, stipulating that Liu was responsible for taking care of Ma until he died when all his property would then be passed to him, was invalid.
