Following the sudden passing of Taiwanese actress Xu Xiyuan (Barbie Hsu) at the age of 48 due to flu-related pneumonia while traveling in Japan, discussions regarding the custody of her children and the distribution of her assets have become a major public focus. Legal experts suggest that while her ex-husband, Wang Xiaofei, has a higher likelihood of obtaining child custody, her current husband, DJ Koo, may inherit the largest share of her estate.

According to Taiwanese lawyer Feng, Taiwanese law stipulates that when one parent passes away, custody of minor children automatically transfers to the surviving parent. This means that Wang Xiaofei, as the biological father, is likely to gain full custody of their two children, regardless of any will left by Barbie Hsu.

However, there remains a possibility for legal negotiation. Some legal experts argue that Barbie Hsu's family could apply for a custody modification based on the "least disruption principle" and the "best interests of the children." This could involve a legal battle if Wang Xiaofei is unwilling to compromise.

Additionally, there were concerns that if Wang Xiaofei obtained custody and changed the children's household registration to mainland China, they might lose their Taiwanese residency benefits. However, Feng clarified that unless Wang actively changes their registration, their household status will remain unchanged.

Inheritance: DJ Koo Could Receive the Largest Share

Barbie Hsu accumulated substantial wealth through real estate, investments, and other assets. According to Taiwanese lawyer Lü, if Barbie Hsu did not specify any special asset arrangements, DJ Koo could claim a portion of her estate as a surviving spouse. Under Taiwan's "residual property distribution" rule, DJ Koo would be entitled to:

• Half of the marital assets accumulated after their marriage.
• A portion of the remaining estate alongside Barbie Hsu's two children.

This arrangement could result in DJ Koo receiving a larger share than the children. However, if Barbie Hsu and DJ Koo had signed a prenuptial agreement, the inheritance distribution could be significantly different, with Barbie Hsu's children and her mother becoming the primary beneficiaries.

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