| Notaires de France

No. The French Civil Code does not provide for an obligation to provide support between brothers and sisters. However, the courts do recognize the existence of a natural obligation: this means that your brother in need cannot force you to help him, but that you can help him voluntarily. However…

[...] Will SAFER's right of pre-emption prevent her from acquiring my shares? No, the SAFER's right of pre-emption does not apply in this case, in application of the provisions of article L143-4 3° of the Code rural et de la pêche maritime, which stipulates that: "The following may not be…

In principle, property tax is due by the owner on January 1 of the current year. As a result, in principle, you are liable for it. However, it is customary to specify in the deed of sale that the seller and buyer will share the burden of this tax on…

Yes, you will be required to pay a fee to the notary in charge of liquidating the community estate, representing 0.5916% (incl. VAT) of the value of the property taken over. Added to this is the cost of any formalities. On the other hand, this value is not included in…

[...] The date has passed, the acte authentique has still not been signed and the seller is refusing to sign. What can I do? This depends on the terms of your sales of agreement, but in principle, failure to meet the deadline does not result in the sale lapsing ("disappearing")…

Yes, in exceptional cases, posthumous marriage may be authorized by the President of the Republic under article 171 of the French Civil Code. Two conditions must be met: it must be proven that the deceased really wished to marry, based on a sufficient number of facts (his or her behavior…

When the spouse receives the usufruct of liquid assets, we speak of quasi-usufruct, i.e., a usufruct (right of use and enjoyment) of a thing that is consumed when used (money). In practical terms, the spouse has the right to spend the money, but is obliged to return it on his…

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…

Real estate prices and trends in the 3rd quarter of 2020, consequences of the coronavirus on real estate in France, new real estate behaviors: the

In mainland France : In the space of 20 years, between 1999 and 2019, property purchasing power decreased by 13%.

Know more

French property market report n°50 / January 2021

Property purchasing power in mainland France (1999-2019)

My brother is in need. Our parents are deceased and he's not married with no children. Our relationship is very bad. Am I obliged to help him?

Following the death of our father, my sister and I inherited some farmland over which the SAFER has a right of pre-emption. I want to sell my undivided shares to my sister.

I sold my apartment on February 2, but I've just received the property tax notice. Do I have to pay it, or can I ask the buyer to pay part of it?

I am married under the community property regime and am in the process of getting divorced. I own my own property and I'm wondering if there are any costs involved in repossessing it?

I signed a sales og agreement specifying that the sale would be reiterated by acte authentique before November 2, 2019, i.e. 3 months after the signing of the sales of agreement. [...].

I lived with one person for thirty years. We wanted to get married, the banns had been published, but he died before the ceremony. Can I have our marriage registered after his death?

When my father died, my mother-in-law received the usufruct of the entire estate, which consisted mainly of liquid assets. Today, she has just died, and the liquid assets have disappeared. What can I do to recover these sums?

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?