Heir

Updated on Wednesday 17 September 2025

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Heir

Updated on Wednesday 5 November 2025

French probate : An inheritance settlement

On an average, the timeframe for the complete settlement of an estate takes six months. This is the time limit to pay up the inheritance tax. In case of a delay, an interest of 0.20% per month is due to the tax authorities

Updated on Thursday 28 August 2025

French inheritance law : Order of heirs and scale of inheritance rights in France

The people concerned by your inheritance; aren’t necessarily those people you may think of. Determining the order of heirs, shall allow you to establish a transmission of property through inheritance.

Updated on Thursday 5 May 2022

Understand usufruct (life interest)

The usufructuary has the right of possession and use of the property, but he is not the owner. Attention: do not confuse usufruct and right of use and habitation.

Updated on Thursday 13 November 2025

Inheritance between spouses: rights of the surviving spouse

Since 2001, the surviving spouse is treated as a true heir except, if there has been a divorce or separation. But, the children of the deceased or members of his in-laws (heirs reserving) will limit his rights.

Updated on Wednesday 16 March 2022

Inheritance: set up the heritage reserve with the family pact

Through the family pact, a child can now accept an infringement on his/her reserve in advance. This legal system favors a disabled family member, who is financially incapacitated, for example.

Updated on Wednesday 2 March 2022

Search for a will using the last will file (FCDDV)

In 1971, in order to prevent inheritances being liquidated and divided up in breach of the deceased person's wishes, the notary profession created the Central Registry of Wills (FCDDV), or the Wills Registry.

A question ? Need help ?

Yes. Article 788 of the General Tax Code provides for an allowance of 1594 euros in the absence of any other applicable allowance. After this deduction, your tax rate will amount to 60% of the value of the bequeathed assets.

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

Yes. Upon a person’s death, their heirs have 10 years to declare whether they accept or reject the estate (Article 780, paragraph 1 of the Civil Code). After this period, they are considered to have renounced the estate (Article 780, paragraph 2 of the Civil Code) and therefore no longer…

No. Acceptance up to the amount of the net assets makes it possible to limit the patrimonial risks for the heir since he is not liable for the debts of the deceased, on his personal assets. As long as this acceptance does not present a risk for the minor to…

View our FAQ

Heir

Heir

French probate : An inheritance settlement

French inheritance law : Order of heirs and scale of inheritance rights in France

Understand usufruct (life interest)

Inheritance between spouses: rights of the surviving spouse

Inheritance: set up the heritage reserve with the family pact

Search for a will using the last will file (FCDDV)

A question ? Need help ?

I am the universal legatee of a deceased person with whom I had no family relationship. If I accept this bequest, will I be able to benefit from an allowance?

With no contact with my mother, am I still her heir if she dies?

Life insurance: how do you draft a beneficiary clause?

My widowed mother passed away 15 years ago, and my brother and I never went to a notary to settle her estate. We want to sell her house, but a friend told me that we no longer have the authority to do so. Is this true?

My ex-husband passed away. He was very spendthrift. As the legal representative of our minor child, I am considering making an acceptance up to the net assets on his behalf. Is the authorization of the guardianship judge obligatory?