Yes. The law does not set any time limit between writing a will and the day of death. However, to be valid, the testator must be of sound mind (Articles 414-1 and 901 of the Civil Code). Therefore, a person cannot make a will after the opening of guardianship without…

You can contact a notary to check the FICOVIE database or reach out to the AGIRA organization (https://www.agira.asso.fr/) which will contact various institutions managing life insurance policies. This way, you will know if you are a beneficiary and which institution holds the policy.

No. The right of the surviving spouse to limit their acceptance to certain assets (known as "cantonment") is only legally possible if there is a joint will between spouses (Article 1094-3 of the Civil Code). In the absence of such a provision, you can only accept or renounce the entire…

It depends. By default, the law does not provide for solidarity between roommates. This means each person is only responsible for paying their share of the rent. For the landlord to be able to turn to you in case your roommate fails to pay, the lease must explicitly include a…

Yes. Upon a person’s death, their heirs have 10 years to declare whether they accept or reject the estate (Article 780, paragraph 1 of the Civil Code). After this period, they are considered to have renounced the estate (Article 780, paragraph 2 of the Civil Code) and therefore no longer…

No. The surviving spouse who co-owns the deceased's property can request the preferential allocation of the main residence if it was already their home at the time of death (Article 831-2, 1° Civil Code). If requested, this allocation is automatic and binding on the other co-owners (Article 831-3 Civil Code).

Like married couples, PACS partners are subject to joint taxation (Article 6, 1 CGI and 7 CGI), including for the income earned in the year the agreement is concluded (Article 6, 5th CGI). However, you can opt for separate taxation of the income you personally received during the year of…

No. As a rule, the role of executor is personal and does not transfer (Article 1025, paragraph 3 of the Civil Code), unless the testator has stated otherwise. Therefore, if your aunt made no provisions, you do not have to assume the role assigned to your mother.

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.

Yes. Although a security deposit is not legally required when signing a commercial lease, the landlord can request one. Its amount is freely determined by the parties to the contract.