Succession and Notary: legal experts in estate settlement

Updated on Monday 17 August 2026

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Prepare its succession

Updated on Thursday 16 July 2026

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 Monday 1 June 2026

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 Monday 1 June 2026

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. To be enforceable against third parties, the renunciation of an inheritance must be formalized with the judicial court of the last domicile of the deceased, by filing or sending a simple letter which is duly completed, Cerfa 15828*05 form. One must also attach a full copy of the death…

No. While the Civil Code provides that partition may be requested at any given time, it does not impose a maximum duration. The co-owners can even decide to conclude an agreement of joint ownership between them relating to the management of the joint goods. Its duration is limited to 5…

No. Regardless of a person’s occupation, their estate goes to their legal heirs, subject to the presence of a will. In the absence of children and a surviving spouse, you, your siblings, and your parents inherit his belongings.

You can exclude her from managing those assets by writing a will and appointing a third party to administer them on your son’s behalf (Article 384 of the Civil Code). Your notary can assist with this.

No. Articles 720 and 722 of the Civil Code state that "inheritances open upon the death of the deceased" and that "all agreements aimed at creating rights or renouncing rights to all or part of an unopened inheritance or any of its assets only take effect if authorized by law."…

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Succession and Notary: legal experts in estate settlement

Prepare its succession

Organize at the time of death

Heir

A question ? Need help ?

My aunt passed away. I am the only heir. I found out that she had a lot of debt and I want to renounce her estate. I am a foreign resident. Do I have to return to France to proceed with the waiver?

We have just inherited a house through joint possession with my brothers and sisters. Is it true that we have five years to share?

My brother has passed away. He was a priest. Do his belongings automatically go to the Church?

I have a minor son. If I die while he is still a minor, I don’t want his mother managing the assets he inherits. What can I do?

I have just learned that my father is very indebted. To protect myself, can I already renounce his inheritance before his death?