Patrick Tse's Passing Leaves $400M Estate: Why 90% Went to Grandsons While Nicholas Tse Received Only 5%? Experts Reveal 3 Key Reasons

Nicholas Tse's father, Patrick Tse, has passed away, leaving behind an estate estimated at HK$100 million (approximately NT$400 million). The distribution, however, has raised eyebrows: 90% to his two grandsons, Lucas and Quintus; the remaining 10% split between his children, Nicholas Tse and Jade Tse, with Nicholas receiving only about 5%. This has sparked online debate: "Why did the biological son get only 5%?" and "Why can ex-daughter-in-law Candice Chen manage the assets?"

Yet, if the reports are accurate, this may not reflect favoritism, but rather a sophisticated approach to wealth succession—one that high-net-worth families should consider. Is equal division always the fairest method?

First, when children are already financially secure, 'equal distribution' may no longer be meaningful. Nicholas Tse is an extremely successful artist with personal wealth far exceeding his father's estate. In contrast, the grandsons are still in their developmental years. Prioritizing resources for younger generations who need long-term support reflects a 'needs-based allocation' philosophy—true fairness isn't equal shares, but allocating resources where they're most needed and impactful.

Second, 'who receives' doesn't mean 'immediate transfer.' Many parents believe that to protect their children, they must immediately transfer property, stocks, or cash. However, mature succession planning requires consideration of four key questions: When should assets be transferred? How should they be used? Who should manage them? And how to protect against risks like divorce, debt, or incapacity? This is where trusts add immense value—separating the beneficiary from the asset manager. For instance, if grandparents wish their grandchildren to inherit, but worry about their maturity, they don't need to hand over everything at once. Through structured mechanisms, assets can be managed first, then gradually transferred—love can be deep, but assets don't need to be fully released immediately.

Third, families in Taiwan should not blindly copy celebrity cases. Hong Kong and Taiwan have different inheritance laws; Taiwan enforces 'forced heirship' (statutory reserved portions), meaning certain shares must legally go to statutory heirs. Therefore, replicating Patrick Tse’s 90% grandson allocation may not be legally feasible in Taiwan. The real lesson isn't the percentage split, but asking: Who do I truly want to protect? When should they receive the assets? Who is best suited to manage them?

Wealth succession isn't complete with just a will. Equal division doesn't automatically mean fairness. True maturity in inheritance lies in designing assets to fulfill their intended mission.

R Sister (Liao Jiahong) shares this insight: "Fairness doesn't mean everyone gets the same amount. True fairness means everyone receives what suits them best. Giving doesn't mean handing over everything now. Real love isn't just leaving wealth—it's designing a safe path for that wealth in advance."

This article is republished with permission from R Sister Liao Jiahong – Wealth Succession Design. Editor: Lin Li.