1st "Filial Piety" Inheritance Decision

A judge has ruled on the first 'filial piety inheritance' case brought before the court in a September 29 judgement. The 'filial piety inheritance' statute deems that a son or daughter who cares for their parents inherits more than other family members. A recent revision of civil law clarified that a son or daughter who takes care of and provides for their parents can inherit 50% of the parents assets.
A Seoul district court ruled, 'First, 150 million won belongs to the elder daughter Mrs. Lee and the rest of the 805 million won should be divided equally by family members including the daughter.' The court continued, 'Mrs. Lee had cared for her divorced father devotedly for 13 years. She deserves the additional inheritance although she did not contribute to her father's property.'
Lee had provided for and nursed her sick father in cooperation with her husband after her father divorced in 1983. She also cared for her younger brothers and sister. She petitioned the court over a disputed inheritance with her brothers and sister after her father died.