Hello. I'm asking for some legal guidance for a friend who is in a difficult situation.
My friend, who I'll call "Person A" (a Japanese national), is facing a complex issue regarding her inheritance. Her late father's will states that she will inherit his properties, but only on the condition that she marries a specific foreigner, "Person B." Both Person A and Person B signed this will.
The problem is, Person A has since realized that Person B is a terrible person who has caused her significant emotional and mental distress. She no longer wants to marry him. However, according to the lawyer who handled the will, the only ways for her to receive the inheritance are to either marry Person B or wait for him to pass away.
This seems incredibly unfair and legally problematic. I'm wondering if there's any way to challenge or void this marriage condition. Could it be considered a violation of her fundamental right to choose her spouse? Does Japanese law have provisions for nullifying such a condition, especially given the harm Person B has caused?
Any advice, legal insights, or information about similar cases in Japanese inheritance law would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Edit: Let me add more details.
– Both biological parents are Japanese and already passed away. At the time Person A's father set the will, it was in good faith that Person B was a good man who would take care of his daughter and help her manage her assets.
– Person A has a stepmom and stepbrother, but she's estranged to them. Stepmom tried to get the inheritance from Person A by having her son force himself on her.
– She's a in a religion that divorce is not allowed.
– Person A doesn't want to marry Person B even if it's to get the inheritance. Person A's mental health worsened and she's in the hospital recuperating at the moment. There was a time she would've gotten into a coma if her friends hadn't taken her to the hospital in time. Person B, who was her boyfriend at the time, didn't bother sending her to the hospital and just told her he's busy. So she didn't want to be with her tormentor who was supposed to be her protector.
by SerenityAngelus