Beijing city offers legal consultation for senior citizens

BEIJING — The civil affairs bureau of Fengtai District in Beijing launched China’s first legal project aimed at protecting senior citizens’ rights and interests.

The district government purchased legal services for the first batch of 200 senior citizens from October to January. The bureau said the project functioned as prevention before any losses were caused, which is more preemptive than the usual legal aid after infringement.

After detailed understanding of their situations, the lawyers offer specific risk warnings concerning marital relations, child support obligations, inheritance, family property, consumer fraud, investment, private lending and elderly care.

The bureau and a local law firm also compiled a risk self-appraisal handbook for those who have not yet received legal consultations.

More seniors will be covered by the project in the future, the bureau said.