Frequently asked questions about Donation

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I gave my children a second home through bare ownership and retained the usufruct. It’s now too costly. Can I give up my usufruct?

Yes. You can renounce or transfer it via donation or sale, which must be notarized and registered. However, renunciation may be requalified as a donation if it involves intention to give, personal loss, and recipient’s gain (Article 894 of the Civil Code).
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I own a small house in the countryside in addition to my apartment in the city. Can I give it to my minor grandchild?

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…
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My spouse passed away, and we did not have a joint will. Since he had children from a previous marriage, I receive 1/4 of his estate. Can I accept only part of his inheritance?

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…
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My father and mother-in-law made a last living gift to each other. When my father died, she chose the option ¼ in full ownership, ¾ in usufruct. As my hereditary reserve is subject to this usufruct, can I bring an action for reduction?

No. Article 1094-1 of the French Civil Code states in its 1st paragraph that "In the event that a spouse leaves children or descendants, whether or not from the marriage, he or she may dispose in favor of the other spouse either of the property he or she could dispose…
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