My friends and I set up a SCI to buy a building in the city centre. I am the majority shareholder. I would now like to sell all my shares and have already found a buyer. Can the town council exercice it's right of emption?

Yes, in certain cases. When the sale involves most of the shares in a SCI that owns a property whose sale would itself be subject to the town's right of pre-emption, the town council can exercise this right (art. L.213-1, 3° C. urbanism). Good to know: this right of pre-emption…
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Both my grandparents died in a house fire. They were married without a contract. How will their estates be settled?

If two individuals die in the same event, and each was entitled to inherit from the other, as often occurs with spouses, each estate is settled according to the order of death (Art. 725-1 C. civ.). This order can be established by any means. If it is impossible to determine…
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My aunt passed away. She wasn't married and had no children. She had planned to leave her house to me. The notary with whom she had deposited her will, told me that she had taken it back. How do I know that they’re telling the truth?

When a notary is entrusted with a will, it is registered in the central register of last wills and testaments, unless the testator objects (Art. 4.1.b of the Basel Convention of May 16, 1972, on the Establishment of a Scheme of Registration of Wills). If the will has been registered…
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6 years ago, my partner and I entered a civil partnership and had our agreement drawn up by a notary. We had opted for an undivided property regime. For professional reasons, we'd now like to adopt a separate property regime. Should we contact the notary?

Yes. If you wish to modify your Civil union, you can draw up a new agreement between yourselves, or have it drawn up by a notary. However, as your initial agreement was drawn up by a notary, you must send him your amended agreement so that he can register it…
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My husband has passed away. As part of his support obligation, he paid his parents a sum every month to help them pay for their retirement home (EPHAD). Will I have to continue paying it?

It depends. The law stipulates that daughters-in-law and sons-in-law are obliged to help their parents-in-law materially and financially as part of the obligation to provide support (art. 206 C. civ.). The death of your husband does not terminate this obligation (Lyon Jan. 25, 1967). On the other hand, if you…
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My father is planning to give me bare ownership of an apartment he owns. The notary has estimated its fee without considering the dismemberment of ownership. Is this normal?

Yes. For the fees associated with a gift deed, the notary's fees are calculated based on the full value of the property. This applies even when the donor retains the usufruct of the property (art. A444-67 C. com.).
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The bank granted me a bridging loan. To date, I've been unable to sell my property. The bank tells me that this is not a legitimate reason for a non-repayment on the contractual due date. Is this true?

Yes. When your bridging loan contract expires and you are unable to repay it, either you succeed in negotiating an extension of the repayment term with your bank, or the bank may demand repayment of the entire loan amount on the agreed date.
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My father donated a property to me in full ownership. Today, I want to sell it, but the notary has informed me that I need the signature of my brothers and sisters, even though I'm the only one who owns the property. Is this formality compulsory?

Yes. Article 924-4 of the French Civil Code stipulates that heirs with reserved rights may bring an action for reduction or revendication against third parties holding real estate that was donated and subsequently disposed of by the recipient. In practical terms, if your father's gift encroaches on your brothers' and…
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