The sudden passing of Taiwanese celebrity Barbie Hsu (Da S /大S) has sparked discussions about the legal guardianship of her two children. She had two children with her ex-husband, a Chinese businessman, while residing in Taipei, Taiwan, with her current husband, a Korean celebrity. This complex family dynamic raises a crucial question: Who will become the legal guardian of the children now that Barbie Hsu has passed away?

 

While this case unfolds under Taiwanese law, it highlights an important issue for parents in similar situations. If this scenario occurred under Malaysian law, what would happen? Who would gain guardianship, and what legal steps could Barbie Hsu’s current husband have taken to secure custody of the children before her passing?

 

Who Automatically Becomes the Guardian Under Malaysian Law?

Under Malaysian law, guardianship of minor children is governed by the Guardianship of Infants Act 1961. The general rule is that a child’s biological parents are the natural guardians. In a situation similar to Barbie Hsu’s case:

The surviving biological parent (the father) automatically gains guardianship.

– If one parent passes away, the other parent automatically becomes the guardian unless a court rules otherwise.

A stepparent (current husband) has no automatic rights.

– Even if the stepfather has been actively raising the children, he does not automatically gain guardianship. However, Barbie Hsu could have formally appointed her current husband as a Joint Guardian in her Will with her ex-husband. While this would not automatically overrider the biological father’s rights, it could serve as strong evidence of her wishes if the matter is brought to court. The court would consider whether the stepfather has a stronger claim based on the children’s well-being.

A guardian appointed by Will may have priority.

– If the deceased parent appointed a guardian in a legally valid Will, that person may be given preference, but this is still subject to the court’s approval.

The court can decide based on the child’s best interests.

– If the surviving biological parent is absent, unfit, or unwilling, a stepparent or another close relative may apply for guardianship.

In Barbie Hsu’s case, since her ex-husband (the children’s biological father) is still alive, he would automatically gain guardianship under Malaysian law, regardless of his level of involvement in the children’s lives.

 

Could Barbie Hsu’s Current Husband Have Secured Guardianship Earlier?

If Barbie Hsu’s current husband wanted to secure legal rights over the children before her passing, he could have taken several legal steps under Malaysian law:

1. Adoption

• If the biological father agreed to relinquish his parental rights, the stepfather could have legally adopted the children.
• Upon adoption, the stepfather would legally replace the biological father and gain full parental rights.
• However, adoption under the Adoption Act 1952 requires both biological parents’ consent, making this option difficult unless the biological father was willing.

 

2. Appointing Him as a Guardian in a Will

• Barbie Hsu could have formally appointed her current husband as a guardian in her Will.
• This would not automatically override the biological father’s rights but could be used as supporting evidence in court to show her wishes.
• The court would consider whether the stepfather had a stronger claim based on the children’s well-being.

 

3. Appoint Joint Guardians

Barbie Hsu could alternatively appoint her current husband and ex-husband as Joint Guardians in her Will to ensure the care and welfare of her children are secure.

 

What Happens If No Legal Guardian is Appointed?

If Barbie Hsu had not taken legal steps to designate a guardian and her ex-husband does not claim the children, a few possibilities arise under Malaysian law:

The court will decide.

– A judge may appoint a guardian from the extended family, such as a grandparent or aunt/uncle.

The children may temporarily stay with the stepfather.

– If they were already living with him, the court might allow them to remain under his care while determining long-term guardianship.

Social Welfare Department may intervene.

– If no suitable guardian is found, the Social Welfare Department (i.e. Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat) may step in to ensure the children’s welfare.

 

Key Takeaways for Parents in Similar Situations

Barbie Hsu’s case underscores an important issue for parents with complex family structures. If you are in a similar situation, consider these legal steps:

Draft a will and name a guardian.

– Ensure your wishes for your children’s care are clear.

Consider adoption if possible.

– If your current spouse is the primary caregiver, legal adoption can solidify their rights.

Consult an Estate Planner

– Estate planning professionals can help ensure your children’s future is legally protected.

 

Under Malaysian law, the biological father automatically gets guardianship unless the court decides otherwise. This means that Barbie Hsu’s current husband would have no automatic rights to the children, no matter how involved he was in their lives.

However, legal steps like adoption or a well-prepared Will could have helped secure his role in the children’s lives before her passing. For parents in similar situations, taking legal precautions early can ensure that your children remain in the care of the person who knows them best.

You may make an appointment with our legal advisor here: https://calendly.com/finex-and-co-legacy-advisory/tea-talk-with-legalexpert

 

大S（徐熙媛）突然离世，现任丈夫能否成为孩子的监护人？

最近台湾明星大S（徐熙媛）突然去世，让很多人开始讨论她的孩子到底会由谁来照顾。她和前夫汪小菲有两个孩子，后来再婚。在她去世前，她和2个孩子还有现任丈夫具俊晔 一起住在台北。这样的家庭关系，会让人在孩子的监护权上有一定的疑惑。如果这样的情况发生在马来西亚，法律上会怎么处理？谁会自动成为孩子的监护人？现任丈夫具俊晔能不能提前做点什么，确保孩子能继续跟他住？

 

在马来西亚，谁会自动成为孩子的监护人？

根据《1961年儿童监护法》（Guardianship of Infants Act 1961），孩子的亲生父母自然就是监护人。如果遇到像大S这样的情况，可能会有这些结果：

如果一方去世，另一方自动成为监护人。

— 比如大S走了，她的前夫汪小菲（孩子的生父）就会自动获得监护权，除非法庭认为他不适合。

继父/继母没有自动监护权。

— 就算继父（大S的现任丈夫具俊晔）一直照顾孩子，也不会自动成为孩子的法定监护人，除非之前有做任何法律上的安排。不过，大S可以在遗嘱中把现任丈夫具俊晔和前夫汪小菲指定为联合监护人 (Joint Guardian)。虽然这不会自动剥夺生父的权利，但如果事情闹上法庭，可以作为她意愿的重要证据。法庭将根据孩子的最大利益来决定继父是否有更强的监护权。

如果遗嘱有指定监护人，可能有优先权。

— 如果大S在遗嘱里有写明谁是监护人，法庭可能会优先考虑这个安排，但最终还是法庭说了算。

法院会以孩子的最佳利益做决定。

— 如果亲生爸爸不愿意或不适合，继父或其他亲人可以向法庭申请监护权。

如果这种情况发生在马来西亚，大S的前夫汪小菲还在，他会自动成为孩子的监护人，不管他之前有没有照顾孩子。

 

大S的现任丈夫具俊晔能不能提前做任何安排？

如果具俊晔想在她生前就确保自己能合法照顾孩子，在马来西亚可以考虑几个方法：

1. 领养孩子

• 如果孩子的亲生爸爸愿意放弃监护权，继父可以通过法律程序正式领养孩子。
• 领养完成后，继父就会取代亲生爸爸，成为孩子的合法父亲。
• 但根据 Adoption Act 1952 ( 1952年领养法令)，领养必须得到亲生父母的同意，所以如果生父不同意，就办不到。

 

2. 在遗嘱里指定他为监护人

• 大S可以在遗嘱里清楚写明，指定现现任丈夫具俊晔为孩子的监护人。
• 这不会让继父自动拥有监护权，但可以作为法庭判决时的重要参考。
• 法庭会评估，看看继父是不是更适合照顾孩子。

 

3. 指定联合监护人 (Joint Guardians)

• 大S也可以在遗嘱中指定现任丈夫和前夫为孩子的联合监护人 (Joint Guardians) ，以确保孩子会有人来照顾。

 

如果没有指定监护人，会发生什么事情？

如果大S没有提前安排监护人，而前夫汪小菲也没有要孩子，马来西亚的法律可能会这样处理：

法庭会决定。

— 法官可能会从亲人里选一个合适的人，比如祖父母、阿姨（小S）等。

孩子可能暂时跟继父住。

— 如果他们本来就住在一起，法庭可能会让孩子继续留在继父具俊晔身边，直到决定长期监护权。

社会福利局介入。

— 如果找不到合适的监护人，马来西亚社会福利局（Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat）可能会介入，确保孩子有人照顾。

 

给类似家庭的建议

大S的情况提醒大家，如果你的家庭结构比较复杂，最好早点做规划，免得以后出问题：

写遗嘱，指定监护人。

— 清楚写下你希望孩子由谁照顾。

如果可以，考虑领养。

— 如果你的现任配偶是孩子的主要照顾者，领养可以让他们有合法身份。

找专业人士咨询。

— 让专业的资产规划师帮你规划，确保孩子的未来有保障。