Tussle over widow's assets: Court could rule on new will on Monday

Judge to decide whether the will denying Chinese tour guide a single cent should be recognised

Madam Chung Khin Chun (left) and her niece Hedy Mok (far left) at the Family Justice Courts yesterday. Madam Chung made a new will last December which leaves most of her assets to charity.
Madam Chung Khin Chun (left) and her niece Hedy Mok (far left) at the Family Justice Courts yesterday. Madam Chung made a new will last December which leaves most of her assets to charity. ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

A widow embroiled in a tussle with former tour guide Yang Yin for her millions could find out as early as next Monday whether her new will denying him a cent should be recognised.

Yesterday, the court heard arguments from lawyers representing 88-year-old Madam Chung Khin Chun, her niece Hedy Mok, and Yang on the issue.

Madam Chung, who has dementia, made a new will in December last year which leaves most of her assets, including a $30 million bungalow in Gerald Crescent, to charity.

It is supposed to replace a will she made in 2010, in which she leaves everything to Yang in the event of her death.

Madam Mok, a 61-year-old tour agency operator, has alleged that her aunt was unduly influenced by Yang into making the earlier will.

Yang moved into Madam Chung's bungalow in 2009 at her behest, he says.

He, his wife and young daughter were forced to move out of the house last September by Madam Mok.

The 41-year-old Yang insists that the earlier will was valid.

Madam Mok, who was with her aunt at the Family Justice Courts yesterday but did not attend the hearing, said: "I just hope everything goes according to my aunt's wishes.

"Both of us are anxious to get over this episode and move on."

The lawyers said after the closed-door hearing, which lasted over two hours, that they had presented their arguments and the judge could make a decision as early as next Monday when the hearing resumes.

Last month, the High Court granted permission for court papers to be served personally on Yang's wife Weng Yandan, 34, and parents - Mr Yang Sannan, 71, and Madam He Xianglan, 67 - in China.

They have been added as defendants to a civil suit in which Madam Mok is suing Yang for allegedly misappropriating Madam Chung's monies.

Madam Mok's lawyer Andrew Lee said his firm is engaging lawyers in China to serve the papers. He added that Madam Mok will have until next Wednesday to file her response to Yang's amended defence.

Yang met the widow in 2008 when he acted as her private tour guide during a trip to Beijing. During the trip, he claims, Madam Chung asked him to be her "grandson".

Yang, who has been in police remand since Oct 31 last year, also faces more than 300 criminal charges.

Nearly all are for faking receipts connected to the music and dance company he set up, but two of the charges involve criminal breach of trust for allegedly misappropriating $1.1 million from Madam Chung.

A Criminal Case Resolution, which helps prosecutors and defence counsel resolve cases early, for the case will be held on April 16.

kcarolyn@sph.com.sg

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