Inheritance disputes drive rise in elderly property cases

A Beijing court has reported a sharp rise in disputes involving the property of elderly residents, with inheritance-related cases emerging as the primary driver.

The Beijing No 2 Intermediate People's Court said on Wednesday that it concluded 5,640 domestic family cases in 2025, of which 570 involved the property of senior citizens. The share of such cases in family litigation climbed steadily from 4.4 percent in 2021 to 15.5 percent in 2025, with both the number and proportion increasing year by year.

Over the five-year period, the court settled 490 inheritance disputes involving wills, accounting for nearly 86 percent of all elderly property cases, according to Zhu Chuntao, vice-president of the court.

Real estate and bank deposits were the main assets in dispute. Property disposition was involved in 94.6 percent of cases, while bank deposits were at issue in 40.2 percent.

To better assist elderly litigants, particularly those over 85 years old, the court has introduced enhanced support measures and expedited case-handling procedures, Zhu said.

The measures include age-friendly facility upgrades, such as reading glasses, wheelchairs and first-aid kits. The court has also introduced a companion support system, allowing older adults without legal representation and those with limited ability to navigate legal proceedings to be accompanied in court by community workers or friends.

In addition, the court has established a post-case follow-up mechanism to conduct regular return visits and provide psychological counseling for elderly litigants.