Estate planning in France

If you have assets in both France and the UK, effective estate planning is essential. French and English inheritance laws differ significantly, and without careful coordination, there's a real risk of conflict between wills, unintended tax consequences, or difficulties for your heirs.

We work with L'Office Notarial de L'Europe, a long-established notarial office based in Lyon, to help clients create legally sound estate plans that work across both legal systems. Maître Coralie Perrier-Favre, an associate notaire at the firm, leads on all cross-border estate planning matters. She regularly assists British individuals and families in structuring their wills and protecting French assets in accordance with local laws.

Whether you're a UK national with a holiday home in France or a French citizen with property or family in the UK, we can help you put the right arrangements in place.

Key considerations for cross-border estate planning

Estate planning across two jurisdictions often involves a combination of legal and practical considerations, including:

• Ensuring your will is valid in both countries
• Deciding whether to make separate wills or a coordinated plan
• Understanding forced heirship rules in France
• Managing inheritance tax exposure in both jurisdictions
• Appointing executors or representatives who can act across borders

What we can do for you

We work closely with Maître Coralie Perrier-Favre to ensure your intentions are respected and your estate is protected. While she handles the French aspects of your estate plan, our solicitors can advise on UK law, provide legal opinions, and help you draft wills or supporting documents that take both systems into account.

We assist clients by:

• Reviewing or preparing wills that work across both France and the UK
• Advising on mirror wills and succession strategies
• Explaining the impact of French forced heirship rules on your estate
• Liaising with Maître Perrier-Favre on structure, formalities and legal compliance
• Providing legal opinions or affidavits for use in France
• Coordinating powers of attorney or guardianship arrangements where relevant

Avoiding legal conflict between wills

One of the most common mistakes in cross-border estate planning is preparing wills that unintentionally override or contradict each other. We help you avoid this by ensuring your wills in each country are coordinated and legally compatible.

Planning ahead with clarity

Estate planning isn't just about distributing assets—it's about making things easier for those left behind. By working with experienced professionals on both sides of the Channel, you can ensure your estate is properly structured and legally secure.

If you're planning for the future and your assets span both France and the UK, get in touch to discuss your estate planning needs with our team.