French
///Estate
Administration
we provide expert guidance on french estate matters
French Estate Administration
Handling the administration of an estate connected to France demands precision, legal expertise, and timely action. Our bilingual French lawyers in the UK guide executors, beneficiaries, and Trustees through cross-border estate matters, ensuring compliance with French requirements, mitigating risks, and helping secure efficient transfer of assets.
Contact us today for professional help with estate administration in France.
Why Work With Us?
- Years of experience handling estates with French and UK elements
- Clear advice on law, documentation, and deadlines
- Assistance liaising with French Notaires, courts and relevant authorities
- Proactive management to avoid delays (especially French inheritance tax deadlines)
What Does Estate Administration in France Involve?
We support you in a range of different scenarios, including support in indentifying which laws apply (French law, English law, or a combination) to determine which Will(s) govern the estate, and what inheritance tax obligations arise. We also help to ascertain the value of French assets at the date of death and verify ownership.
Continue reading for more specific estate administration situations we handle.
French Immovable Assets (Property)
- Engaging a French Notaire to prepare necessary inheritance deeds (confirmation of beneficiaries, acceptance of inheritance, etc.)
- Preparing deeds of transfer of ownership for French property (immeuble)
- Reviewing French inheritance tax returns and regulated Notaire fees
- Where needed, completing French Powers of Attorney so you need not attend in person
French Moveable Assets Only
This may include:
- Bank accounts (savings, current)
- Shares (direct ownership or via managed portfolios)
- Assurance vie contracts
We help obtain required documents, complete formalities, and arrange transfer or payment into your designated account.
Estates with Charities as Beneficiaries
- UK charities inheriting French assets must obtain French government authorisation and comply with translation and documentation requirements.
- Since Brexit, UK-registered charities are no longer exempt from French inheritance tax and may face high tax rates. We advise on liabilities, process steps, and whether renunciation is the best option.
Estates Involving Trusts with French Connections
Estates Involving Trusts with French Connections
- Trust-related estates raise complex issues — unclear beneficiaries at death, high tax rates (45-60%), and strict reporting obligations.
- We can help structure actions (e.g. deeds of appointment or variation) where possible, prepare reporting forms, and advise on French inheritance tax impact.
When a minor beneficiary needs to accept a French inheritance and/or sell an inherited property
In some estates, mainly those which are governed by French law, it is necessary for each beneficiary to accept their inheritance. When the beneficiary is a minor, it will be necessary for a Court to approve the minor’s acceptance of their inheritance. When the minor is habitually resident in France, the process is standard with the simple submission of a form with the local French Court. However if the minor is habitually resident abroad, the process is more complex especially if accepting an estate is not a process that is required in the local law, such as is the case in England & Wales. If you are dealing with an estate where the Notaire has required Court authorisation for a minor to accept their inheritance and they are habitually resident either in France or in England & Wales, we would be pleased to assist with the process.
EXPERT LEGAL ADVICE
Our French Experts
Marc White
Solicitor, Notary Public & Accredited Mediator
Madeleine Carin
French Paralegal
Léa Maynard
Solicitor & Head of French Law