Opening an estate
The loss of a loved one is an ordeal that calls for both time and rigour. Our role is to support you carefully through the estate proceedings, clarifying every step and securing every action at the pace that suits you.
Stages of estate administration
An estate file unfolds through several successive deeds, the order and nature of which vary with the family composition, the assets, and whether or not a will exists. The most common stages, set out below, will be tailored to your file from the first consultation.
1. Affidavit of heirship (acte de notoriété)
Establishes the status of heir and the order of devolution. The first deed signed, in the weeks following the opening of the file.
2. Release and sale mandates
Given by each heir, in private form with a handwritten signature (with material certification by the town hall or by a lawyer), they entrust the notary with three missions: to query FICOBA to identify the deceased’s accounts (Article L. 151 B of the French Tax Procedures Code), to close those accounts and transfer the funds to the estate account held at the office, and, where applicable, to sell securities (express mandate under Article 1988 of the French Civil Code).
3. Inventory (where applicable)
Notarial record establishing the contents of the movable estate on the date of death. Recommended to set a precise value when the movables are significant, or required in certain cases (acceptance limited to net assets, minor or protected adult among the heirs). Failing an inventory, movables are valued at the 5 per cent flat rate (Article 764 of the French General Tax Code).
4. Real-estate attestation
Transfers ownership of real-estate assets and rights to the heirs and enables registration with the French land registry.
5. Inheritance tax return
Filed within six months of the death when the deceased died in mainland France, and within one year in all other cases (Article 641 of the French General Tax Code). It calculates the inheritance tax and settles it with the tax office.
6. Distribution (where applicable)
Ends the joint ownership among heirs by assigning to each the assets due, with or without a balancing payment.
Video conference and remote signature. In most files, signature can be arranged remotely by electronic power of attorney, with clients attending the appointment by secure video conference. For solemn deeds (gifts, off-plan sales), an authentic power of attorney received remotely under a qualified procedure is implemented within the regulatory framework. Some deeds still require physical presence (oath, authentic will). The office will tell you, on a case-by-case basis, which arrangement applies to your file.
Une préparation pensée pour vous accompagner pas à pas
Our method begins with listening, sometimes simply with a first phone call. The online questionnaire allows you, at your own pace, to gather the items we will need, without pressure and without needing to know everything from the outset.
Vous nous transmettez les premiers éléments
Identity of the deceased, known heirs, any testamentary provisions. No field is mandatory.
Vous joignez les pièces dont vous disposez
Death certificate, family record, title deeds. You can defer what you do not have to hand.
Vous nous adressez votre dossier
By secure email. A clear summary is returned to you.
Nous prenons le relais
Interrogations FCDDV et FICOBA, contact des banques, des assurances et du conseil départemental le cas échéant.
Ce que nous allons aborder ensemble
The estate-opening questionnaire is designed to leave you all the time you need. It adapts to the family situation of the deceased, the composition of the estate and any points of attention you wish to flag.
Les thèmes du questionnaire
- Identity and family situation of the deceased
- Known heirs, with the option to add others at your pace
- Testamentary provisions and earlier gifts
- Estate and accounts of the deceased
- Liabilities, debts and funeral expenses
- Points of attention and any disagreements
Ce que vous apporte la démarche
Un parcours adaptatif, qui ne vous interroge que sur ce qui vous concerne, et qui vous laisse, à chaque étape, la possibilité de cocher « je fournis plus tard » pour les pièces que vous n’avez pas sous la main.
À la fin du parcours, vous disposez d’un récapitulatif clair de tout ce que vous nous avez confié, et d’un envoi sécurisé à l’étude en un seul geste.
Start the estate questionnaire
Quelques minutes suffisent pour démarrer. Vous pouvez revenir et compléter votre dossier à tout moment.
Démarrer mon questionnaireNotre cadre de travail
Confidentialité absolue
Le secret professionnel notarial s’impose à l’ensemble de l’étude. Vos données ne sont consultées qu’aux fins de votre dossier et conservées avec le plus grand soin.
Accompagnement personnalisé
Chaque dossier est confié à un interlocuteur identifié, joignable et réactif, du premier contact à la signature, et au-delà.
Rigueur et clarté
Une explication intelligible de chaque étape, des chiffrages présentés sans détour et des pièces vérifiées une à une.
Vous n’avez pas le temps ou ne souhaitez pas compléter votre dossier en ligne ?
Pas d’inquiétude. Nous serons ravies d’ouvrir le dossier avec vous, à l’étude, en visioconférence ou par téléphone. Nous en profiterons pour vous poser les questions utiles et déterminer ensemble les documents à transmettre, à votre rythme et selon vos contraintes.
List of documents for opening an estate
Téléchargez la liste pour la garder à portée de main.
