Family Law
Selling Your Property in China from Australia: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Australian Citizens — Including Power of Attorney, Identity Verification, Contracts, and Repatriating Your Funds
You purchased your Beijing apartment several years ago, and now, as an Australian citizen, with the Chinese property market cooling, you’re looking to transfer your funds back to Sydney. Here’s a clear overview of what you need to know to navigate this process smoothly. Every few months, my office receives inquiries from Australian citizens—often individuals […]
Your Parent Has Left You the Beijing Apartment: A Practical Guide for Overseas Chinese on Navigating Relatives, Notaries, and Complex Paperwork When Inheriting Property in China
Each year, I receive a particular type of phone call that begins similarly. The caller, often speaking Mandarin with a softened accent from years abroad and occasionally mixing in English, explains that their parent in China has passed away, leaving behind property—an apartment in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or sometimes a village house that has gained […]
Selling Chinese Real Estate from Overseas: A Practical Guide to Title, Tax, Foreign Exchange and Remittance Compliance
Introduction: The sale is not finalized upon signing the contract For overseas Chinese descendants or foreign nationals owning property in China, selling real estate might seem straightforward. The seller finds a buyer, signs a sales contract, receives payment in renminbi, pays applicable taxes, and requests a Chinese bank to convert the remaining funds into foreign […]
Bridging the Gap: A Legal Guide for Foreign Heirs on Inheriting Real Estate and Assets in China
Losing a parent is an emotionally challenging experience, made even more complicated when geographical and legal boundaries stand between you and your rightful inheritance. In today’s globalized world, it is common for children to establish lives overseas, often obtaining foreign citizenship, while their parents maintain assets—such as real estate and savings—in their home country. When […]