On the afternoon of 24/9, the Ho Chi Minh City Supreme People's Court of Appeal heard the appeals of Vo Thi Hong Nhung, 61, sister of Vo Van Ngoan (late artist Vu Linh), and Vo Thi Hong Loan, his daughter.
The contested assets include a house and land in Cau Kieu ward (former Phu Nhuan District), a plot of land in Hiep Binh ward, and an oto.
Court urges compromise
During the questioning, the court panel repeatedly spent time analyzing the situation and encouraging the parties to reconcile. According to the court, this inheritance dispute among family members could harm all involved if prolonged.
The court panel urged the litigants to balance emotion and logic, respect the wishes of the deceased, preserve family ties, and consider conceding some rights to find a common solution.
The court acknowledged Hong Loan's goodwill in offering financial support to her relatives, while also suggesting she consider a more suitable amount for Ms. Nhung. The court panel stated that a ruling is only necessary if the parties cannot reach an agreement themselves; if the family finds common ground, the outcome will be more meaningful.
After hearing the analysis, Hong Loan stated her limited financial capacity, offering to support Ms. Nhung and Vo Thanh Nhieu, the late artist's brother, with a total of 2 billion dong.
Ms. Loan maintained her appeal against the entire first-instance judgment, disagreeing with the allocation of 15% of the late artist's estate to Ms. Nhung. She argued that since the court recognized her as the legitimate daughter and the sole first-degree heir, she should inherit all of her father's assets.
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Vo Thi Hong Nhung at court today. Photo: Binh Nguyen |
Vo Thi Hong Nhung at court today. Photo: Binh Nguyen
Ms. Nhung's side also upheld its appeal, requesting the annulment of Hong Loan's adoption papers, birth certificate, and inheritance declaration document. She further sought to establish that the house on Doan Thi Diem street was gifted by Vu Linh to her daughter, Vo Thi Hong Phuong, and to dismiss all of Hong Loan's counterclaims.
Ms. Nhung wished for the house to be given to Hong Phuong as a place of worship for the late artist, asserting this was his desire during his lifetime. If the court panel determined Hong Loan to be Vu Linh's adopted daughter, Ms. Nhung requested to receive 50% of the estate's value.
When asked to provide a basis for this percentage, Ms. Nhung could not offer any. The court panel explained that if the house is designated as property for worship, it would, in principle, not be divided but instead entrusted to one person for management.
Hong Phuong stated that during his lifetime, Vu Linh had told her he would leave the house in Cau Kieu ward to her, but he did not make a will. She agreed with the first-instance ruling to allocate 15% of the estate's value to her mother, but appealed the part concerning the personal relationship between Hong Loan and the late artist, arguing he had not completed the legal adoption procedures.
Hearing temporarily adjourned to clarify land value
Another issue preventing the conclusion of the hearing is the value of the land plot in Hiep Binh ward.
According to the valuation results, this property is worth 17 billion dong. Hong Loan disagreed, stating that most of the area is within a green park planning zone, with only over 100 square meters permitted for use.
She requested a clear determination of the usable area, the portion within the planning zone, and the legal status of the land plot to re-evaluate its worth and distribute the inheritance.
After deliberation, the court panel accepted the request and temporarily adjourned the hearing to clarify the value of the disputed property.
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Vo Thi Hong Loan at court. Photo: Binh Nguyen |
Vo Thi Hong Loan at court. Photo: Binh Nguyen
Dispute spans over three years
According to court records, the conflict among relatives began in 6/2023, three months after artist Vu Linh passed away.
Ms. Nhung and her daughter sought co-ownership of Vu Linh's house on Doan Thi Diem street with Hong Loan, citing that he had invited them to live with him since 2021. Hong Loan disagreed, stating she would sell two land plots in Thu Duc, distribute funds to family members, and requested Ms. Nhung and her daughter vacate the house.
Ms. Nhung subsequently filed a lawsuit, demanding the annulment of Hong Loan's inheritance declaration document, dated 7/4/2023, concerning the house and land on Doan Thi Diem street, two land plots numbered 87 and 88 in Linh Dong ward, Thu Duc City, and an oto. She also requested the cancellation of the transfer of these properties to Hong Loan.
She also requested the inheritance of two land plots in Linh Dong ward be divided between herself and Vo Thanh Nhieu. She sought to receive one-half of the assets after deducting the value she claims Vu Linh verbally willed to Hong Phuong. The estimated value Ms. Nhung sought was 1,5 billion dong.
In her counterclaims, Hong Loan asserted that her father never married and left no will. She identified herself as his only daughter, the sole first-degree heir.
Hai Duyen
