Will-Making Gains Traction in China as Taboos Fade, Protecting Assets and Families

More Chinese Embracing Will-Making, Shifting Away from Traditional Taboos

A growing number of Chinese citizens are embracing the practice of making wills, moving away from traditional taboos that associated the act with death or bad luck. This shift is driven by a desire to prevent financial risks and family disputes.

The average age of people making wills in China has steadily decreased over the past 12 years, falling to 67.71 in 2024. This data comes from a white paper released by the China Will Registration Center, a public initiative launched in 2013 to provide will-making consultations and registration services.

As of December 31, 2024, the center had offered consultations to over 572,000 individuals and registered and stored over 357,000 wills, with 12,261 already taking effect. The majority of those making wills in 2024 were between 60 and 70 years old, accounting for over 52% of all registered wills.

While will-making remains most common among the elderly, younger adults are also showing increasing interest. The number of young and middle-aged people registering wills at the center saw steady growth from 2017 to 2023, reaching 7,124 in 2023. However, the figure dropped slightly in 2024 to 5,468.

The white paper defines "young and middle-aged" groups as individuals between 30 and 39 years old for young adults and 40 to 49 years old for middle-aged individuals.

Avoiding property disputes is a key reason for people to make wills, especially for those who have remarried. The number of remarried people registering wills at the center has steadily increased since 2017, reaching 12,424 as of last year, with over 80% being older than 60.

Among remarried individuals making wills, 40.25% said their primary concern was ensuring financial support for their parents, while 28.24% sought to prevent loss of property. The report suggests that remarried couples tend to be more cautious in their property planning.

"More Chinese are recognizing the importance of making wills to protect their assets, and a growing number of young people are embracing the practice," said Yao Junchang, co-founder of W&H Law Firm in Beijing.

Yao noted that most people make wills to prevent family disputes over inheritance. While various methods exist, government-run notary offices remain the most reliable option for drafting a legally binding will.