French wills and inheritance

If you have French assets, understanding your rights under French law can help you avoid inheritance complications.

Why do I need a French will?

French inheritance tax rules are very specific, and very different to the rules in the UK. After your death, any French assets you own may be subject to French law or English law. If you’ve made a will in the UK, it won’t necessarily apply to any assets you hold in France or the application of English law could have adverse undesirable consequences, including on the tax front. Your assets may be sizeable if, for example, you have bought a house in France.

If you have French assets, we may advise making a French will depending on your individual circumstances and wishes – even if you’re not a French citizen, or living in France. If you don’t make a French will, this may give rise to issues among others regarding trusts and executors.

A French will offers peace of mind about the future. You can be certain that your loved ones will be provided for, and your wishes carried out. Your will can also help speed up the inheritance process, and make the practical arrangements regarding French inheritance tax easier for your family. Our fully bilingual French team will guide you through the complex French system, to a solution that works for your individual circumstances. We can also assist in arranging gifts during lifetime and lasting powers of attorney.

French inheritance tax and wills – specialist advice for beneficiaries

If you’re named as a beneficiary of an estate which includes French assets, we can help. French assets are subject to French laws, which can be complex – especially at an already difficult time. For example, the purchase or sale of a French property must be dealt with by a Notaire in France. Our experts take the pressure off of you; liaising with the Notaire, translating French documents and handling the process on your behalf. This knowledge of the French legal system moves the process forward quickly. If you’re not sure where to start, or need advice about your options, get in touch.

French law specialists

Our French law specialist has over 25 years experience helping clients navigate French laws. Your Tees lawyer will take the time to truly understand your situation, and what you want to achieve. We’ll support you with our depth of knowledge – and many years of practical experience.

Exceptional in helping us with wills in France and the UK. Listened brilliantly and responded appropriately, with clear and simple principles to work to.

Legal 500 2024

Fixed-fee French Wills

Simple will, drafted from information provided to us by the client, according to our information request form, (no additional advice required):

Wills for a couple: mirror wills £500 plus VAT,
2 wills with different beneficiaries: not mirror £600 plus VAT,
Single Will: £450 plus VAT

If specific advice is required, eg: who to leave property to, various options to avoid inheritance tax, options to keep control of property (eg Usufruit), complications if children from previous relationships or choice of jurisdiction, the fixed fee will apply as above, PLUS advice on succession and options available will be charged at the hourly rate of £250 plus VAT.

Optional : Fee for organising registration of the will in France with the national wills registry:

£75 plus VAT, plus Notaire’s fee of approx. £100 per Will.

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Frequently asked questions

The answers to many of your questions can be found here, please get in touch for further information.

I have been told my property has development potential. What do I do?

If you’ve been contacted by a developer or a land promoter regarding a potential development to your property, you may wish to consider granting an option agreement or a promotion agreement. An option agreement is made between the landowner and the developer, where it is intended that the developer will apply for planning permission and requires an option to buy the property. A land promotion agreement is used where a developer agrees to apply for planning permission and will market the property for sale on the open market once planning permission has been obtained. This is usually in return for a proportion of the net sale proceeds. The law on this is very complex and you will need specialist advice.

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If you’d like to meet one of our experts for a confidential, no obligation chat, please get in touch.

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0800 013 1165

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All legal services provided by Tees are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Tees is a trading name of Stanley Tee LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 464615) and is registered in England and Wales number OC327874.

All financial services provided by Tees are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Tees and Tees Wealth are trading names of Tees Financial Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales number 4342506. Registered office address Tees House, 95 London Road, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3GW.

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