Make it easier on your family; don't die out of town

HONG KONG - The integration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Chinese mainland adds complications to dealing with property and other assets disposed of in wills. To make it more complex, add continued investment in the mainland and the legal recognition of death under different legal systems.

Blame each entity's unique system of law - Hong Kong's is based on the British system of common law - and the different judicial jurisdictions.

While the law of the land would be followed in the absence of a will, the transfer of movable assets such as bank accounts and shares is recognized on both sides. In Hong Kong, obtaining recognition of the will in court makes provisions on movable assets in the mainland effective.