Core Viewpoint - The article discusses recent court cases in Beijing and Shanghai where unclaimed inheritances were divided among distant relatives, while real estate was transferred to the state due to the absence of direct heirs and wills [2][3][4]. Inheritance Cases - In the case of Ms. Zhang, who passed away leaving over 1 million yuan in cash and a property valued at approximately 4 million yuan, her relatives claimed inheritance rights based on their caregiving during her illness [4][5]. - The court ruled that the cash would be divided among the relatives, with the primary caregiver receiving 20% and others receiving 10% each, while the property was designated to be managed by the state [4][6]. Legal Framework - According to the Civil Code, if there are no heirs or bequests, the estate reverts to the state for public welfare purposes [6][11]. - The law specifies that only immediate family members (first and second order) are considered legal heirs, and distant relatives must prove they provided care to inherit [10][12]. Role of Civil Affairs Departments - Civil affairs departments are designated as estate managers in cases where there are no heirs, and they are responsible for ensuring that unclaimed estates are used for public benefit [6][12]. - The article highlights the need for clearer regulations regarding the management of estates, especially in complex cases involving debts or multiple asset types [9][12]. Importance of Wills - The article emphasizes the increasing awareness of the importance of wills among the public, noting a trend of younger individuals beginning to draft wills to prevent disputes over their assets [13][14]. - Statistics indicate that a significant portion of older adults are now taking steps to formalize their estate plans, which can help reduce future conflicts and social costs [13][14].

Core Points - The article discusses recent court cases in Beijing and Shanghai where unclaimed inheritances were divided among relatives, with cash being distributed but real estate reverting to state ownership due to the absence of direct heirs [1][3][5] - The legal framework surrounding inheritance in China, particularly regarding the rights of distant relatives and the role of civil affairs departments in managing unclaimed estates, is highlighted [2][4][10] Group 1: Inheritance Cases - A woman in Beijing left over 1 million yuan and a property without heirs, leading to a court ruling that awarded the cash to relatives while the property was claimed by the state [1][3] - In a similar case in Shanghai, an elderly man’s estate of 4.3 million yuan and a property was partially distributed to a cousin, with the remaining assets reverting to state ownership [1][4] Group 2: Legal Framework - The Civil Code stipulates that if there are no heirs or bequests, the estate reverts to the state for public welfare purposes [5][9] - The role of civil affairs departments as estate managers is emphasized, with a need for clearer regulations on handling complex inheritance issues [7][10] Group 3: Inheritance Rights - Only first and second-order relatives are considered legal heirs under the Civil Code, which excludes distant relatives unless they can prove they provided care to the deceased [8][9] - The court's decision to award cash to relatives was based on their demonstrated support for the deceased, while the property was deemed too valuable to be divided among them [4][9] Group 4: Public Welfare and Estate Management - The article discusses the necessity for civil affairs departments to not only manage unclaimed estates but also ensure that the proceeds are used for public welfare [10][12] - There is a call for more detailed legal guidelines to assist civil affairs departments in managing estates, especially in cases involving debts or complex assets [7][10]