Glossary 

 

Our glossary defines frequently used mortgage terms. Click on one of the following letters of the alphabet to locate a specific term on this page.

Inheritance Laws

When you purchase a property in France, French inheritance laws apply to that property. These laws, which are very different from the Separate Estates laws in most Anglo-Saxon countries, can have an impact on the use of the property in the event of a spouse-owner's death. Unless specified beforehand, a surviving spouse/partner residing in France will not automatically become the legal beneficiary of the property prior to any children's rights. To counter these effects, specialised lawyers could advise to set up an SCI or change one's marital status and have it validated in France only for French assets. It is also possible to draw up a personal will. This is an important and complex issue. For more detailed information on the implications of marital status and inheritance laws, please seek advice from your notary or a specialised lawyer.
 

BNP Paribas International Buyers is a business line of BNP Paribas Personal Finance.
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