Succession and Notary: legal experts in estate settlement

Updated on Wednesday 17 September 2025

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A question ? Need help ?

Following my mother's death, the notary is requesting my parents' family record book to settle the estate. Unable to provide it, the notary is considering calling in a genealogist. Is this the usual procedure?

Yes, the notary in charge of settling an estate must establish the devolution of the estate (identification of heirs and indication of their legal share). In your case, the latter must ensure that your mother had no children other except you. Its role is all the more important as it…
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Following the death of our father, my sister and I inherited some farmland over which the SAFER has a right of pre-emption. I want to sell my undivided shares to my sister.

[...] Will SAFER's right of pre-emption prevent her from acquiring my shares? No, the SAFER's right of pre-emption does not apply in this case, in application of the provisions of article L143-4 3° of the Code rural et de la pêche maritime, which stipulates that: "The following may not be…
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Our father passed away. He had remarried and we are 3 children from the first marriage. Our mother-in-law refuses to disclose the information she has on our father's bank accounts. Can the notary in charge of the succession identify them?

Notre père est décédé. Il était remarié et nous sommes 3 enfants du premier lit. Notre belle-mère refuse de communiquer les informations qu’elle détient sur les comptes bancaires de notre père. Le notaire en charge de la succession peut-il les identifier ? Yes . Indeed, law n° 2014-617 of June…
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How can I find out if I am the beneficiary of a life insurance policy?

You can contact a notary to check the FICOVIE database or reach out to the AGIRA organization (https://www.agira.asso.fr/) which will contact various institutions managing life insurance policies. This way, you will know if you are a beneficiary and which institution holds the policy.
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