Frequently asked questions about Succession

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My sister passed away, leaving behind her spouse and one child. We were both joint owners of our late parents’ house. Her child has renounced the succession. Can I claim a right of reversion (droit de retour) over her share in this family property?

In principle, yes. The French Civil Code provides that, in the absence of descendants, assets received by a person from their parents by way of donation or inheritance, and still present in kind in their estate, are devolved half to the surviving spouse and half to the siblings (Article 757-3…
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My father has just passed away. He had drawn up his own will and then entrusted it to his notary. For the settlement of the succession, is the depositary notary obliged to record the opening of the will on death and if so, within what time frame?

Yes. The law provides that the notary depositary of the holographic will, draws up a report "on the spot" of the opening and status of the will, specifying the circumstances of its deposit. The original of the will is appended to the minutes. These documents are then maintained in the…
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I would like to draw up a notarial will to make one of my daughters a universal legatee. My notary is asking me to appoint two witnesses. Can I choose my daughter's PACS partner?

Yes, article 975 of the French Civil Code stipulates that "neither the legatees in any capacity whatsoever, nor their relatives or allies up to and including the fourth degree (...) may be taken as witnesses to the will by public deed". The PACS partner is neither a relative nor an…
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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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