Succession and Notary: legal experts in estate settlement

Updated on Friday 12 June 2026

Inquire

Prepare its succession

Updated on Thursday 23 June 2022

Will: How to write one’s last will?

The will allows you to prepare your inheritance and organize the division of your property. It is the best way to protect yourself, especially for unmarried people. Only a will can make a civil partner inherit.

Updated on Friday 17 March 2023

Will: what is legacy?

Legacy is an inheritance by will. There are several types of legacies, which have their own features, but also their conditions.

Updated on Thursday 23 July 2026

Life insurance and inheritance tax

Life insurance protects or favors one or more people in the event of death. The tax treatment for paid-in capital varies depending on the contract and at times waivers inheritance tax

Organize at the time of death

Updated on Thursday 28 August 2025

Death: Procedures to carry out

One of your loved ones has passed away. Who inherits? What is the ratio? How much does it cost? Your notary is here to help you and assist you with the inheritance transactions you need to carry out.

Updated on Thursday 13 November 2025

Succession and couples: the surviving partner’s rights over the home?

Even in the absence of a gift or a will, the surviving spouse is guaranteed the right to remain in the home upon the death of their partner. Is the same true for the home of partners in a civil union (PACS) or for cohabiting partners?

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 Monday 23 March 2026

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 Friday 20 March 2026

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 ?

No. If the measure of guardianship is entrusted to a member of the family, it is then exercised free of charge. Sometimes, the guardianship judge or the family council, realizing the importance of the property which needs to be managed or the difficulty of exercising the measure, may award compensation…

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

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…

No. A residual legacy (legs résiduel or de residuo) is a gift upon death (provided for in a will and executed upon your death) that designates a first legatee who will receive a property and will be required to pass it on to a second legatee, provided it still exists…

Yes. Under Article 762 of the General Tax Code, you may make an estimated declaration of the jewelry and statuettes provided the value is correctly assessed. However, without agreement the estate tax declaration may be late. As heirs are jointly liable for inheritance tax, late interest or penalties will apply…

View our FAQ

Succession and Notary: legal experts in estate settlement

Prepare its succession

Organize at the time of death

Heir

A question ? Need help ?

We applied for guardianship of my father. Is it up to us to pay the guardian?

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

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?

I would like to make a residual legacy. Can I be certain that my legatee will keep the property until their death?

My aunt’s estate includes jewelry and statuettes. The heirs disagree on the value to declare. Some want an inventory while I prefer a simple declaration, which is cheaper. Am I allowed?