Frequently asked questions about Donation

No. The right of the surviving spouse to limit their acceptance to certain assets (known as "cantonment") is only legally possible if there is a joint will between spouses (Article 1094-3 of the Civil Code). In the absence of such a provision, you can only accept or renounce the entire…

Yes. In order for the donation to be validly filed, in addition to the fact that it must be established by a notary, it is essential that the beneficiary accepts the latter (art. 932 C. civ.). When the beneficiary is an unemancipated minor, accepting a donation unencumbered by charges, which…

Yes. When the beneficiary of a donation is domiciled in France on the day of the donation or has had his tax residence in France for at least six years during the last ten years preceding the donation, all the assets he receives located in France or outside France are…

As a reminder: A spousal gift (donation entre époux) is a notarised deed intended to maximise the rights of the surviving spouse without disinheriting the children (Article 1094-1 of the French Civil Code). Yes. Provided there is no prohibition stated in the spousal gift and as long as a statutory…

Yes. The French Commercial Code (Articles A444-53 et seq.) sets out the notary’s fees, known as emoluments, which represent the notary’s remuneration. However, the total cost of a donation deed includes several other components: Registration duties (droits d’enregistrement) payable to the tax authorities; Value Added Tax (VAT) applicable to certain…