Frequently asked questions about Succession

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…

When the deceased leaves a specific legacy (a legatee receiving precisely designated items) and has children (forced heirs), the legatee must request delivery of the legacy from them (Art. 1014 Civil Code) to take possession of the inheritance.

No. Pursuant to Article 764 of the French Civil Code, the surviving spouse may request a lifetime right of use and habitation (droit d’usage et d’habitation viager) over the property that was effectively used as the couple’s main residence at the time of death.

Yes. The conditions of validity of the holograph will are provided for in article 970 of the Civil Code: it must be written by the hand of the testator, dated, and signed. It specifies that it is not subject to any other form.

Maitre Boris VIENNE, notary in Cornebarrieu (Haute-Garonne), responds live on RMC's "NEUMANN/LECHYPRE" program.