这些老人为啥把遗产留给“外人”？

Core Viewpoint - The increasing trend of elderly individuals without children opting for "bequest support" agreements to leave their properties to caregivers or friends instead of relatives has led to a rise in inheritance disputes, particularly as these relatives are often not obligated to provide care [1][6]. Group 1: Legal Context - Since the implementation of the Civil Code, there has been a significant increase in cases related to wills and bequest support agreements, with a 44.2% rise in such cases in Beijing's First Intermediate Court from the previous year [1]. - The definition of a bequest support agreement involves a natural person (the bequeather and the supported person) entering into a contract with a caregiver (not an heir) to provide care in exchange for inheritance rights upon the bequeather's death [1]. Group 2: Case Studies - An elderly woman, Wang Hongying, bequeathed her property to her caregiver's grandson, leading to disputes with her sisters who claimed she lacked the capacity to make a will due to her mental health issues [2][3]. - Another case involved an elderly couple, Zhang and Liu, who established a bequest support agreement with their caregiver, leading to inheritance disputes with their siblings who contested the arrangement but failed to provide evidence of neglect [4][5]. Group 3: Reasons for Bequest Support Agreements - Elderly individuals often choose to sign bequest support agreements with non-relatives due to a lack of available family members willing or able to provide care, as many siblings are elderly themselves or have limited contact [6]. - The absence of suitable elder care facilities and dissatisfaction with available services also contribute to this trend [6]. Group 4: Legal Recommendations - There is a call to amend the Elderly Rights Protection Law to include siblings as legal caregivers, aligning the rights of inheritance with caregiving responsibilities [6]. - Suggestions include establishing a regulatory mechanism for bequest support agreements to ensure caregivers are held accountable for their duties, similar to the oversight required for children's caregiving obligations [7][8]. Group 5: Implementation Suggestions - It is recommended that official templates for bequest support agreements be promoted to ensure clarity on obligations and conditions, including living arrangements and medical care [8]. - Community organizations should be involved in the oversight of these agreements to monitor caregiver performance and protect the rights of the elderly [8].