How to Make a Will in France: A Comprehensive Guide to French Testament Types and Procedures

A SIMPLE GUIDE TO THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WILL, STEPS TO TAKE AND HOW TO REGISTER ONE Making a will in France, known as a testament, is essential for ensuring that your assets are distributed

according to your wishes after your death.  If you have moved here from another country, the process may seem complex but it can be simplified by understanding the different types of wills

available and the key steps you need to follow to create one. TYPES OF WILLS IN FRANCE There are four main types of will to choose from: Holograph will (testament olographe)  This is the

most common and straightforward type of will, written for yourself only and not as a couple.  It must be entirely hand-written, signed, and dated by you, and this does not need to be done in

front of witnesses or a notaire.  It is recommended to write it in French using the correct legal terms to avoid any errors or the need for translation later.  The will should be clear and

specific, with all the relevant details about your estate. Authentic will (testament authentique)  For more security, an authentic will is a type drawn up by a notaire in the presence of two

independent witnesses.  This ensures the validity of your will and makes it legally harder to contest.  While this option will incur a fee (typically around €200), it does give you the

option of writing a longer will if needed. Secret will (testament mystique)  A secret will involves handing your will to a notaire in a sealed envelope, witnessed by two other individuals. 

This will provides the privacy of a holograph will with the legal security of an authentic will but in practice is rarely used. International will (testament international)  This type of

will can be made in any language and is aimed at individuals with assets in multiple countries. It must be signed in front of two witnesses and a notaire.  However, the international will

does not override local French inheritance laws, so it is essential to ensure that it aligns with French rules.  As well as this, the UK among other countries did not ratify the convention

that brought in the international will. Read more: Can heirs inherit debt in France? STEPS TO WRITING A WILL IN FRANCE By taking the time to gather the necessary information first and think

through what you would like to do, you can be well prepared for writing your will. Make a list of your assets  Before drafting your will, make an inventory of your assets. This means real

estate (immeubles) and movable items (meubles) which also includes bank accounts, shares, and any other valuable possessions.  Estimating the value of these assets can help you make informed

decisions about how to share them out. Consider the beneficiaries  Clearly identify who will inherit your estate, specifying each beneficiary’s full name, address, and relationship to you.

  Be specific to avoid ambiguity and ensure your wishes are followed. Write the will  You can draft and type your will first on a computer but for a testament olographe, a handwritten copy

on paper using black ink is legally required in France.  Ensure that the will is signed and dated with your usual signature at the end. Consult a notaire  While it is possible to create a

will on your own, consulting a notaire ensures that your will complies with French inheritance law. They can also help register your will. Note your funeral wishes  It is recommended to keep

your funeral wishes (volontés funéraires) in a separate, easily accessible document rather than include them in your will. WHY REGISTER YOUR WILL? Registering your will with the Fichier

Central des Dispositions de Dernières Volontés (FCDDV) ensures that it is easily found after your death.  Although this step is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to avoid any

complications.  Registration costs around €100, which includes the notaire’s fees for lodging and archiving the will. MAKING A WILL FOR YOUR INTERNATIONAL ASSETS If you own property in both

France and another country, it is possible to make separate wills.  A French will can cover your assets in France, while an English or Scottish will can handle assets elsewhere.  An official

translation will be required for foreign wills dealing with French assets and it is often better to deal with French assets in a French will.