Succession and Notary: legal experts in estate settlement

Updated on Friday 13 March 2026

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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 Wednesday 11 February 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 Wednesday 16 March 2022

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 Wednesday 2 March 2022

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 ?

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…

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No. The Civil union partner is not entitled to inherit from his deceased partner, unless the latter has written (or had a notary write) a will in his favor, in order to allow him to benefit from all or part of succession.

do her children have the right to demand that I pay them the outstanding amount in one go? No . On the death of a person, the rights, and shares that he held during his lifetime are automatically transmitted to his heirs (art. 724 C. civ.). The Court of cassation…

Yes, article 975 of the French Civil Code stipulates that "neither the legatees in any capacity whatsoever, nor their relatives or allies up to and including the fourth degree (...) may be taken as witnesses to the will by public deed". The PACS partner is neither a relative nor an…

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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’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?

Scam, gift or inheritance fraud: notary advice to avoid them

I am part of a Civil union. If I die, does my partner inherit?

My aunt is going to lend me some money. We have planned for me to repay it in monthly installments over a period of 5 years. A loan deed will be regularized by a notary. If she dies before this term (...)

I would like to draw up a notarial will to make one of my daughters a universal legatee. My notary is asking me to appoint two witnesses. Can I choose my daughter's PACS partner?