Inheritance - forthcoming changes

[Will]

Note that there are changes to French succession law due to come into force next year (1 January). Although they do not alter the basic principles of the Napoleonic Code, there are two areas where the changes are likely to prove of interest to non-French people who live in France, namely recognition of children from previous marriages and strengthening the PACS.

Other changes involve making it possible for grandchildren to inherit direct from grandparents, sorting out the mess after the owner of a business dies, speeding up the inheritance process, and making it possible for a legal heir to renounce their inheritance in advance.

These provisions will not be automatic, but they will allow more freedom of choice as long as things are structured in the right way.

The changes are summarised on the notaires' web site at http://www.notaires.fr/notaires/notaires.nsf/V_TC_PUB/SMSI-6R7JQL. In French only, the page has not made its way on to the English language section yet. Also, surprisingly, some notaires seem unaware of the forthcoming new law, so if you want to discuss inheritance do print out the page and take it with you. It is too early to say how effective the changes are likely to be, or what will be involved, but it looks like a big step in the right direction.

[Espresso]

Does anyone have any more information about this please? The link seems to have died.

[BJSLIV]

Try

http://www.notaires.fr/notaires/notaires.nsf/V_TC_PUB/REFORME-SUCCESSIONS-LIBERALITES

[Sarah]

Have just been on that link and printed out the new changes.  Many thanks.  S.A.Somers