What is a genealogist? In the broadest sense of the word, a genealogist is a person who carries out genealogical research, i.e. research into relatives and parentage, either in a personal or professional capacity. Among the professional genealogists there are family genealogists, who carry out research on behalf of private clients and are paid directly...Read More

As from the opening of an estate, the heirs have four months to exercise the inheritance option (see article “the inheritance option”). After this period, they may be obliged by the creditors of the estate, a co-heir, a subsequent heir or the State to exercise their option. If they have not been obliged to do...Read More

L. n°2021-1109 of 24 August 2021 On Monday November 1st, Law 2021-1109 of August 24th 2021 reinforcing the respect of the principles of the Republic will come into force, introducing in particular a reinforced protection of the compulsory portion by adding two new provisions to Articles 913 and 921 of the Civil Code. These provisions...Read More

In French law, it is practically impossible to disinherit a child If the deceased had their habitual residence in France at the time of their death, the applicable law for the opening of the succession would be French law, in application of Article 720 of the Civil Code, which provides that, “Successions are opened by...Read More

The French legislator introduced various provisions in Articles 730 to 730-5 of the Civil Code by Law No. 2001-1135 of 3 December 2001, relating to the means of proof of the status of heir. Thus, the first paragraph of Article 730 provides that proof of the status of heir is established by any means; it...Read More

What is a property certificate in the broadest sense of the term? In France, the real estate certificate is an official document drawn up by a notary in order to demonstrate ownership of a property. It certifies that a property has been purchased, inherited or donated. In the context of a sale, the real estate...Read More

What is a declaration of inheritance? When inheriting, one of the formalities to be completed is the drawing up of a declaration of inheritance. The equivalent term in English when winding up a succession is an Estate Duty Return. This declaration must be sent to the tax authorities in order to determine the duties (Inheritance...Read More

In a context of increasing internationalisation of personal situations, the reform of national legislation in the field of private international law has become inevitable. With some 139 nationalities on its territory, and a population made up of more foreigners than Monegasques (more than 9,000 French and approximately 8,100 Italians compared to just over 8,300 Monegasques),...Read More

What is a Civil Solidarity Pact? The PACS was introduced into French law in 1999 by Article 515-1 of the Civil Code. It is a contract that allows unmarried couples to organise their life together by giving it a certain legal framework, without however establishing a family relationship, or even a bond of alliance between...Read More

The objective of an inheritance file is to successfully allocate the deceased party’s property to their successors. Following the acceptance of the inheritance by multiple heirs and/or legatees, joint ownership opens between the various persons involved before, in theory, proceeding to the division. This joint possession includes all the property and rights of which the...Read More