“I don’t think there will be a coup d’etat,” said Geoffrey Cain, author of a forthcoming book on Samsung.

Lee’s sister, Lee Boo-jin, runs Samsung’s Hotel Shilla affiliate, one of the world’s biggest duty-free retailers. South Korean media often call her “Little Lee Kun-hee,” because she has a similar leadership style to her father.

She could be a real candidate to take on a bigger role in the Samsung empire if her brother goes to prison, but she would probably still take direction from him.

It is highly unlikely Lee will be replaced as Samsung’s heir apparent, experts say. The Lee family and top Samsung officials have spent years paving the way for a father to son succession at Samsung Group.

“What is happening now is not something they expected,” Cain said. “But after having spent two decades trying to get Jay Lee in his position, I am sure they will do everything in their power to make sure he gets to that position.”

Read more about the Samsung chief’s trial at CNN Business