My Korean spouse recently passed away and I'm confused about inheritance rights?
My Korean spouse recently passed away and I'm confused about inheritance rights. I'm also wondering what happens to my assets in Korea if something happens to me. How does Korean inheritance law apply to foreigners?
Note: This is an editorial persona question created from common experiences of foreign residents in Korea.
1 Answer
Korean inheritance law generally applies to assets located in Korea, and a spouse and children are recognized legal heirs under the Korean Civil Code, so as a surviving spouse you may inherit. Cross-border cases get complicated quickly with documents and tax in two countries, so it's worth consulting a lawyer, and the Korea Legal Aid Corporation (132) and your embassy can point you to help. Making a will and keeping clear records of your assets makes things far easier for your family.