10-018 · EVIDENCE A · SOURCE-SENSITIVE
Same-sex partners should prepare a power of attorney, a voluntary guardianship agreement, and a will while both are still lucid: legally, you are not considered close relatives, so without these documents you’ll have no right to sign on behalf of each other or to inherit anything.
同性伴侣趁两个人都清醒，办好授权委托、意定监护和遗嘱：法律上你们不是近亲属，不办就没有签字权和继承权
Notarizing a voluntary guardianship agreement and a will incurs fees that vary by region, typically starting at a few hundred yuan. Drafting a handwritten will costs nothing. The whole process usually takes one or two half‑days; the real challenge is getting both partners to discuss illness and death openly.
Under the law, close relatives include spouses, parents, children, and siblings — partners do not qualify. If no paperwork is done beforehand, when one partner becomes seriously ill the other cannot make medical decisions for them, and upon death the surviving partner receives no inheritance. These three documents each serve a distinct purpose: the power of attorney covers everyday decisions while both are capable; the voluntary guardianship kicks in if one loses decision‑making ability; the will governs what happens after death.
A
Move “Same-sex partners should prepare a power of attorney, a voluntary guardianship agreement, and a will while both are still lucid: legally, you are not considered close relatives, so without these documents you’ll have no right to sign on behalf of each other or to inherit anything.” to Future Me's calendar
The excuse
I can spend longer deciding whether to start than the small action would take.
What feels good now
Today I keep a little money, a few minutes, a bit of persistence and avoid interrupting my default routine.
What the source says
The source summarizes the return this way: “Under the law, close relatives include spouses, parents, children, and siblings — partners do not qualify. If no paperwork is done beforehand, when one partner becomes seriously ill the other cannot make medical decisions for them, and upon death the surviving partner receives no inheritance. These three documents each serve a distinct purpose: the power of attorney covers everyday decisions while both are capable; the voluntary guardianship kicks in if one loses decision‑making ability; the will governs what happens after death.” Evidence grade A. The original states the population, caveats, and sources; this is not a personal forecast.
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THE ENGLISH EDITION
Original recommendation and evidence
18. Same-sex partners should prepare a power of attorney, a voluntary guardianship agreement, and a will while both are still lucid: legally, you are not considered close relatives, so without these documents you’ll have no right to sign on behalf of each other or to inherit anything.
Cost: Notarizing a voluntary guardianship agreement and a will incurs fees that vary by region, typically starting at a few hundred yuan. Drafting a handwritten will costs nothing. The whole process usually takes one or two half‑days; the real challenge is getting both partners to discuss illness and death openly.
In plain terms: Under the law, close relatives include spouses, parents, children, and siblings — partners do not qualify. If no paperwork is done beforehand, when one partner becomes seriously ill the other cannot make medical decisions for them, and upon death the surviving partner receives no inheritance. These three documents each serve a distinct purpose: the power of attorney covers everyday decisions while both are capable; the voluntary guardianship kicks in if one loses decision‑making ability; the will governs what happens after death.
Benefit: Article 1045 of the Civil Code lists close relatives as spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Article 1127 defines legal heirs as spouses, children, parents, then siblings and grandparents. Partners appear in neither category. Article 1219 addresses surgeries, special tests, and treatments: if full disclosure to the patient isn’t possible, doctors must inform and obtain consent from “close relatives.” Three legal pathways can fill this gap. First, Article 33 permits adults to enter a written agreement designating another adult as their guardian; that person then acts as a legal representative. Second, Article 165 requires a power of attorney that names the agent, outlines duties, and is signed by the principal; this arrangement ends upon the principal’s death. Third, Article 1133 allows a will to leave property to anyone outside the statutory heir list. According to a published article by the Yichang Judicial Bureau, same‑sex couples may notarize a voluntary guardianship agreement naming their partner as future guardian — a practice now recognized nationwide.
Evidence grade: A
Sources: National People's Congress (2020). Civil Code (Articles 23, 33, 165, 173, 1045, 1124, 1127, 1133 to 1140, 1142, 1219). <https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=ff808081729d1efe01729d50b5c500bf> (National Laws and Regulations Database); Yichang Municipal Justice Bureau (2021). Notarization of Intentional Guardianship: The Notarization Road to the Rainbow. "Practice Collection" column of the Hubei Provincial Department of Justice website. <https://sft.hubei.gov.cn/fbjd/sjhc/202101/t20210108_3208602.shtml>
Notes: In a will, a partner is classified as a “legatee” rather than an heir. Once aware of the bequest, the partner must explicitly accept it within 60 days; otherwise the gift is forfeited. Neither the partner nor anyone with a conflict of interest may serve as a witness. If multiple wills exist, the most recent one supersedes earlier versions, as noted in Section 17.2. Hospitals differ on whether a voluntary guardian can sign consent forms; it’s wise to verify this with your regular medical facility. Should family members dispute these documents, litigation may ensue — first‑instance trials typically last at least six months, with legal fees borne by the parties. For that reason, having the documents notarized is advisable. Any jointly purchased property or shared savings should be documented separately with clear statements of each party’s contribution. Guidance on establishing voluntary guardianship can be found in Section 17.1. The ultimate beneficiaries of all these arrangements are you and your partner.
Read the complete Chinese source and notes
18. 同性伴侣趁两个人都清醒，办好授权委托、意定监护和遗嘱：法律上你们不是近亲属，不办就没有签字权和继承权
成本: 意定监护和遗嘱去公证处办，公证费各地不同，几百元起。自己手写遗嘱不花钱。前后要花一两个半天。难在两个人要坐下来谈生病和死。
说人话: 法律上的近亲属是配偶、父母、子女、兄弟姐妹这些人，伴侣不算。不提前办文件，一方病重时，另一方替他做不了主。一方去世时，另一方一分遗产也继承不到。三份文件各管一段：活着时靠授权委托，失去判断能力后靠意定监护，身后靠遗嘱。
收益: 民法典第一千零四十五条列的近亲属是配偶、父母、子女、兄弟姐妹、祖父母、外祖父母、孙子女、外孙子女。第一千一百二十七条的法定继承人先是配偶、子女、父母，其次是兄弟姐妹、祖父母、外祖父母。伴侣两处都不在。第一千二百一十九条管的是手术、特殊检查、特殊治疗。不能或者不宜向患者说明的，医务人员要向患者的「近亲属」说明，并取得同意。有三条路可以补上。第一，第三十三条允许成年人和「其他愿意担任监护人的个人」事先书面约定监护人。本人丧失或者部分丧失民事行为能力后，这个人来当监护人，监护人就是法定代理人。第二，第一百六十五条规定，书面授权委托书要写明代理人的姓名、代理事项、权限和期限，由本人签名或者盖章。本人一去世，委托就终止。第三，第一千一百三十三条允许立遗嘱，把个人财产赠给法定继承人以外的个人。湖北省司法厅网站刊登的宜昌市司法局文章写明，同性伴侣可以办意定监护协议公证，指定对方当自己将来的监护人（全国）
证据等级: A
来源: 全国人大 (2020). 民法典（第二十三、三十三、一百六十五、一百七十三、一千零四十五、一千一百二十四、一千一百二十七、一千一百三十三至一千一百四十、一千一百四十二、一千二百一十九条）. <https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=ff808081729d1efe01729d50b5c500bf>（国家法律法规数据库）；宜昌市司法局 (2021). 意定监护公证：通向彩虹的公证之路. 湖北省司法厅网站「实践荟萃」栏目. <https://sft.hubei.gov.cn/fbjd/sjhc/202101/t20210108_3208602.shtml>
备注: 伴侣拿遗产的身份是「受遗赠人」，不是继承人。知道有这份遗赠后，60 天内要明确表示接受，不表示就算放弃。伴侣本人和跟他有利害关系的人，不能当遗嘱见证人。立了几份遗嘱，以最后一份为准，见第 17 节第 2 条（遗嘱后立的推翻先立的）。意定监护人能不能直接签手术同意书，各医院做法不一，提前问一下常去的医院。家属不认这些文件，就要打官司：一审普通程序 6 个月起，律师费自己出。所以文件尽量去公证处办。一起买的房子、一起存的钱，按真实出资另外写书面约定。意定监护怎么办，见第 17 节第 1 条（书面指定将来的监护人）。受益人是你自己和伴侣。
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