Taipei family feud erupts as 102-year-old man secretly marries caregiver amid alleged asset dispute
A dramatic family dispute unfolded outside a Taipei hospital after the children of a 102-year-old man accused his longtime caregiver of isolating him and marrying him without their knowledge, allegedly to gain control over his multimillion-dollar property.
- The children of a 102-year-old man accused his caregiver of secretly marrying him and restricting family contact.
- The caregiver denied wrongdoing, saying she is the elderly man’s lawful wife and has sought a protection order.
- The dispute, involving assets worth hundreds of millions of Taiwan dollars, is now before the courts.
TAIWAN: A high-profile family dispute involving a 102-year-old man erupted into public view in Taipei’s Zhongshan District, after his children accused his longtime caregiver of effectively confining him and secretly marrying him to gain access to his substantial assets.
The incident came to light when the man’s children attempted to visit their father but were refused access, only to later discover that he had registered a marriage earlier this year with his caregiver, surnamed Lai, who had been caring for him for more than a decade.
Hospital Confrontation Sparks Police Response
The conflict escalated outside Mackay Memorial Hospital, where a dramatic scene resembling an attempted abduction unfolded as the children forcibly took their wheelchair-bound father away during a medical visit.
Bystanders alerted the police, who rushed to the scene amid cries of “Police, help!” Only later did officers realise the individuals involved were family members.
Lai was injured during the scuffle, suffering redness and swelling to her eyes. She broke down in tears, telling reporters that the elderly man was her husband of just over one month.
Allegations of Confinement and Asset Grabbing
The children alleged that their father had been isolated from his family, describing the situation as “tantamount to confinement”. They claimed Lai barred them from contacting or visiting him.
One of the man’s sons said the situation was shocking, noting that a caregiver had “suddenly become a legal spouse and beneficiary”.
According to the family, the elderly man — surnamed Wang — previously worked as a land deed agent and owns property and land assets valued at approximately NT$700 million (about US$22 million).
They further alleged that since Lai began caring for him in 2009, Wang had transferred seven properties and seven parcels of land, as well as more than 10 insurance policies, to Lai and her two sons — assets estimated to be worth over NT$200 million (around US$6.3 million).
The family said they were completely unaware of the marriage registration until the confrontation.
Caregiver Fights Back with Legal Action
Lai has denied the accusations and has since filed criminal complaints for assault and coercion against the children, as well as applying for a protection order.
Both sides have now initiated civil lawsuits, and the matter is expected to be resolved through the courts.
Lawyer Li Yu-sheng, who is not involved in the case, said the family may pursue legal remedies if they can prove that Wang lacked the mental capacity to consent to marriage or property transfers.
He explained that such evidence could support lawsuits seeking to invalidate the marriage, revoke asset transfers, or confirm the elder’s lack of legal capacity at the time of the decisions.
The case has drawn public attention in Taiwan, highlighting broader concerns over elder abuse, caregiver exploitation, and inheritance disputes, especially involving extremely elderly individuals with significant assets.
