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Updated on Wednesday 17 September 2025

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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 ?

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

Everything will depend on the total amount of the deceased's financial assets. To be able to obtain the payment of the funds, you must provide the bank with an affidavit drawn up by a notary if the amount is greater than 5000 euros. On the other hand, if the amount…

Article 917 of the French Civil Code allows the reserved heirs, if their reserved share is encumbered by a legacy in usufruct, either to accept it or to request that the disposable portion be allocated to the legatee. This second option creates joint ownership between your partner and your children…

Yes. Article 754 paragraph 4 of the Civil Code provides that one can represent the person whose inheritance has been renounced. Even if the children have renounced the estate of their predeceased father, they can re present him in the estate of their grandfather.

View our FAQ

Heir

Heir

French probate : An inheritance settlement

French inheritance law : Order of heirs and scale of inheritance rights in France

Understand usufruct (life interest)

Inheritance between spouses: rights of the surviving spouse

Inheritance: set up the heritage reserve with the family pact

Search for a will using the last will file (FCDDV)

A question ? Need help ?

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

International inheritance: what tax law applies if the second home is abroad?

My father has just passed away. He had very little wealth. Am I required to have an act of notoriety to unlock my bank assets?

I wish to make a will in favour of my partner to grant him the usufruct of our home. My notary advises me to exclude Article 917 of the French Civil Code to avoid joint ownership. Can you explain why?

My nephews renounced their father's estate 10 years ago. Their grandfather passed away last year. His house has just been sold. Can they perceive the share that should have gone to their father?