Sailingsally

Thank you all so much.

Trouble is they are now gone so now the problem is finding out which notaries they used as it might not be the local one if he didn't speak English! Is there such thing as a register of property owners in France where you can look up who owns a house?

The trouble is that it was 20 years ago when my father died and I can't remember what happened - I know we children got a share of the house but we take much notice at the time as we all saw it as my mothers - now she has gone, we have searched her uk house and no deeds were found so that's why I wondered if there was a 'norm' with the share - but I guess we will just have to go to France and search that house! Many thanks for the reply.

Thank you all - it is just difficult as my French is pretty awful!

Thank you so much for that information - the problem was that my father died 20 years ago - and now my mother has just died and without going to France to hunt for the deeds, we weren't sure what percentage would have to be added to mums estate - 1/4 each child sounds familar but wasn't sure if mum had a 50% share. Do you by any chance know if we have to notify the French authorities that she has died in the uk (she was uk resident but just had her share in the French property - she also has a foreigners French bank account. Many thanks

Hi I was just reading your above post and I ask if a French property is owned solely by the father and he dies - what percentage goes to the children and to the surviving wife? There are three children. Thanks

Please help - my mother owns a French property and has a foreigners bank account with a French bank. She recently died in the uk and I'm not sure if I have to register her death in France or just get in touch with the bank - if anyone can give me advice I would appreciate it.