The Chang Yung-fa Foundation, which the late shipping magnate set up, filed a lawsuit in the Taipei High Court on May 15, 2026, demanding a share of his $3 billion estate. It claims that assets were moved into a joint account controlled by the executors, a move it says violates the founder’s charitable intentions.
The dispute traces back to 2014, when Chang signed a sealed will naming his youngest son, Chang Kuo‑wei, as sole heir. The will, covering roughly NT$14 billion ($433 million), was contested by his older brother, Chang Kuo‑cheng, who argued the founder was not of sound mind. A series of appeals culminated in the Supreme Court ruling on August 14, 2024, upholding the will and dismissing the brothers’ challenge.
Foundation leaders point to Chang’s 2012 autobiography and public speeches as evidence that he promised to donate his remaining wealth to charity. ‘The founder’s words were explicit, not mere general support,’ said Foundation chair Lin Mei‑hong. Whether those statements create an enforceable post‑mortem gift, however, remains the legal question the court must decide.
The Taipei High Court will hear the case in early June, with the decision expected to set a precedent for how informal charitable promises are treated under Taiwanese inheritance law. Meanwhile, Evergreen’s aviation unit remains under the control of the Kuo‑wei line, while other family members watch the proceedings closely.