Frequently asked questions about Le rôle du notaire

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My father has passed away. The notary handling the estate only shows me a copy of his will and informs me that the original is with another notary. Is this legal?

Yes. Only the notary who holds the will (to whom your father entrusted it) is the custodian of the original. As soon as he is informed of the testator’s death, he must immediately draw up a report of opening and condition of the will, specifying the circumstances of its deposit…
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I purchased an apartment a year ago. Before my purchase, the co-owners allocated common parking spaces among themselves, but the deeds were not registered. Are these decisions enforceable against me?

Yes… but. The new allocation of parking spaces should have been formalised through an amendment to the descriptive statement of division, which must normally be registered with the Land Registry (Law No. 65-557 of 10 July 1965, Article 13). If it was not registered, this amendment is enforceable against you…
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My future spouse and I have an appointment with the notary to sign our marriage contract. Unfortunately, I have just learned that I will not be able to attend due to professional obligations. Is it possible to appoint someone by proxy?

Yes, but under specific conditions. In principle, both spouses must be present before the notary to sign the marriage contract (Article 1394 of the French Civil Code). However, case law allows a spouse to be represented by a third party. The representative must hold a special authentic power of attorney…
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I am a Swiss tax resident. My mother, who passed away this year, lived in France in a house she owned and did not make a will. Can I appoint a notary in Switzerland?

Yes, but… The law applicable to your mother’s estate is French law, since her tax residence was in France. You may choose any notary you wish, but only a French notary can file the deeds recording the transfer of ownership of your mother’s real estate with the Land Registry (Article…
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I had to make a donation-partage to my 3 children. My notary prepared the deed but in the end 2 of my children refused to sign it. The notary is asking me to pay his fees under the "imperfect act". What is it about?

Je devais consentir une donation-partage à mes 3 enfants. Mon notaire a préparé l’acte mais finalement 2 de mes enfants ont refusé de le signer. Le notaire me demande de régler ses émoluments au titre de « l’acte imparfait ». De quoi s’agit-il ? The imperfect deed is the deed…
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