Inquire

International inheritances

A question ? Need help ?

My father has died. Can the funeral home obtain payment directly from his bank account for the funds required to cover his funeral expenses?

Yes. The funeral home may obtain payment of the sums required to cover funeral expenses, subject to the dual limit of the available credit balance in the deceased’s accounts and the amount of €5,965, as set by ministerial order and adjusted annually (Article L. 312-1-4 of the French Monetary and…
See more
My husband has passed away. In the inheritance tax return, the notary applies a 20% allowance to my late husband’s main residence, which I still occupy. Is this allowance mandatory?

Yes. Article 764 bis of the French Tax Code provides for a mandatory 20% allowance on the fair market value of the property that constituted the deceased’s principal residence at the date of death, provided that, on that same date, the property was also occupied as a principal residence by…
See more
My father just passed away and we are three of his children. He had drawn up a will that benefited me to the detriment of my brothers and sisters. The latter are contesting his will. Can they do so?

No. It is perfectly possible to break the equality between heirs. However, the notary will have to ensure that your share does not encroach on the hereditary reserve of your coheirs. If this is the case, they will be entitled to claim, "financial compensation" from you, known as a "reduction…
See more
My father has passed away. The notary handling the estate has only provided me with a copy of the will and informs me that he does not have the original, which is held by another notary. Is this normal?

Yes. The original of a will is kept by the notary who has custody of it, meaning the one who received it and filed it among his official records (Article 1007 of the French Civil Code). The notary you have appointed to handle the estate therefore only has a copy.
See more
My father has passed away. The notary handling the estate only shows me a copy of his will and informs me that the original is with another notary. Is this legal?

Yes. Only the notary who holds the will (to whom your father entrusted it) is the custodian of the original. As soon as he is informed of the testator’s death, he must immediately draw up a report of opening and condition of the will, specifying the circumstances of its deposit…
See more