Zhiheng Public Welfare | Zhiheng Longhua Community Public Welfare Lecture The fourth phase of the 2026 event was successfully held

On August 14, 2026, Guangdong Zhiheng (Longhua) Law Firm (hereinafter referred to as “Zhiheng Longhua”) joined forces with the Longhua Subdistrict Senior Citizens Service Center to host the fourth session of the “Zhiheng Longhua Community Public Lecture Series.” This event was organized by the Zhiheng Longhua Marriage, Family Law, and Wealth Preservation Group. It focused on legal topics of direct concern to residents, such as “voluntary guardianship and inheritance,” and drew a large number of community members to attend and listen.

At the event site

Theme sharing session

Secretary-General of the Zhiheng Longhua Criminal Law Department

Lei Shuai, member of the Zhiheng Longhua Family and Wealth Succession Group

At the start of the event, Attorney Lei Shuai delivered a comprehensive analysis on Article 33 of the Civil Code, titled “Guardianship Can Also Be Designated by You—A Discussion on Voluntary Guardianship.” He clearly outlines the legal framework of advance guardianship from four perspectives: “who has the authority to designate,” “whom to designate,” “how to designate,” and “what is the legal effect.” Specifically, residents may, while possessing full civil capacity, designate a guardian in writing, and such an agreement takes precedence over statutory guardianship.

He particularly emphasized that “only when fully competent” is a strict prerequisite for establishing an advance care directive; furthermore, he outlined mechanisms such as appointing a supervisor and stipulating a veto right over major decisions, demonstrating to residents that an advance care directive is not merely a one-time agreement, but is underpinned by a comprehensive risk-management framework.

Director of the Corporate Compliance Department at Zhiheng Enterprise

Zhou Zefang, Advisor to the Family and Wealth Succession Group at Zhiheng Longhua

Subsequently, Attorney Zhou Zefang addressed the residents’ most pressing concerns regarding inheritance, delivering a presentation on “Five Legal Gray Areas Often Overlooked in Inheritance Matters.” From the formal requirements for making an oral will to the common misconception that “only children may not necessarily inherit the entire estate”; from how debts are settled under the principle of limited inheritance, to whether insurance proceeds and bereavement benefits constitute part of the estate, and finally to grasping the statute of limitations for inheritance disputes—Attorney Zhou meticulously breaks down each issue, delivering a wealth of practical insights, as audience members at the scene eagerly raised their phones to take notes.

Q&A session

At the event site

During the interactive session, residents eagerly asked questions, addressing specific concerns in their daily lives: “If an insurance policy has a designated beneficiary, can the proceeds still be treated as part of the estate and divided among heirs?” “How do I transfer the small number of shares held in the account of a deceased relative or friend?” “Once inherited, could someone still come forward to contest the property many years later? And how is the statute of limitations calculated in such cases?”

……These issues have struck a chord with the hidden anxieties of many families. The two lawyers provided detailed, item-by-item answers—covering everything from the decisive role of insurance beneficiaries and the convenient transfer policy for small stock inheritances under 50,000 yuan, to the three-year statute of limitations for inheritance disputes and the distinction that claims to confirm inheritance rights are not subject to a statute of limitations—using plain language to address residents’ concerns, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere at the event.

Conclusion

Group photo

Know the law in your heart, and apply it in your actions. Through this lecture, which features direct, face-to-face discussions with lawyers, advance care planning and inheritance rights are no longer mere obscure legal provisions but have become practical guides that are integrated into residents’ daily lives. In the future, the Zhiheng Longhua Family Law and Wealth Preservation Team will continue to engage with local communities, regularly organizing public legal education initiatives to safeguard every legacy and every trust through its professional expertise.

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