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I want to give bare ownership of assets to my minor grandchildren and keep the usufruct. If I die before they reach majority, I do not want these assets to be managed by their parents. Is this possible ?

Yes. It is entirely possible to make a donation to your minor grandchildren. This donation must be accepted by their legal administrators (their parents), in accordance with Article 935 of the Civil Code. However, you can specify in the donation act that the donated assets be managed by a third…
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My father is single, and we are 4 children. I want to buy a piece of land to give it to the latter. However, I do not wish to be in joint ownership with my brothers and sisters upon his death. I heard about the conventional return clause. What is it about

The return clause inserted in the deed of gift allows the donor to recover ownership of the donated property, either in the event that the beneficiary of the donation dies before him, or in the event of the predecease of the beneficiary and his descendants (art. 951 Civil Code). It…
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I asked my notary for the cost of a donation deed concerning a real estate property. The amount he quoted does not match the fee schedule I found in the French Commercial Code. Is this normal?

Yes. The French Commercial Code (Articles A444-53 et seq.) sets out the notary’s fees, known as emoluments, which represent the notary’s remuneration. However, the total cost of a donation deed includes several other components: Registration duties (droits d’enregistrement) payable to the tax authorities; Value Added Tax (VAT) applicable to certain…
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My father and mother-in-law made a last living gift to each other. When my father died, she chose the option ¼ in full ownership, ¾ in usufruct. As my hereditary reserve is subject to this usufruct, can I bring an action for reduction?

No. Article 1094-1 of the French Civil Code states in its 1st paragraph that "In the event that a spouse leaves children or descendants, whether or not from the marriage, he or she may dispose in favor of the other spouse either of the property he or she could dispose…
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I gave my children a second home through bare ownership and retained the usufruct. It’s now too costly. Can I give up my usufruct?

Yes. You can renounce or transfer it via donation or sale, which must be notarized and registered. However, renunciation may be requalified as a donation if it involves intention to give, personal loss, and recipient’s gain (Article 894 of the Civil Code).
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