Frequently asked questions about Succession

It depends on the bequeather. As part of a will, you can designate one or more people who will be responsible for ensuring that your last wishes are carried out. We are talking about an executor. If the function of testamentary executor is exercised free of charge (article 1033-1 of…

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…

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…

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…

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…