Frequently asked questions about Donation

Yes. The principle of revaluation of gifts is set out in Article 860 of the Civil Code. The asset is valued at the time of partition based on its condition at the time of the gift. If the asset has been sold, the notary will consider the sale price or…

No. The operation would consist of giving each an undivided share of the property. However, the situation of joint ownership is incompatible with the donation-partage which requires that the donor distributes his property between the beneficiaries (art. 1075 C. civ. and Cass. Civ. 1e, 20 Nov. 2013, n°12-25.681).

Yes. Donations escape pre-emption only when made to ascendants, descendants, or relatives up to the 6th degree (Urban Planning Code, Article L213-1-1). Unless your neighbor is related to you and the property lies in a pre-emption zone, the municipality may pre-empt.

No. For tax purposes, a simple adoption does not create a donation or inheritance tax allowance for the adopter (Art. 786 CGI), with few exceptions, which apply only to the adoptee. Therefore, your stepfather will pay 60% tax on the full amount (Art. 777, IV CGI).

No. The surviving spouse may claim a lifetime right of use and habitation over the property that was their main residence at the time of the spouse’s death, provided it belonged to the couple or to the deceased (Article 764 of the French Civil Code). However, case law (a body…