Registering your French Will is not mandatory but helpful.

For British nationals with assets in France, succession planning often involves navigating two legal systems, two languages, and two sets of formalities. A carefully drafted French Will can make the administration of an estate significantly smoother and help ensure that your wishes are respected. 

We are delighted to announce that Stone King can now arrange for French Wills to be registered with the French Central Wills Register.

Why register a French Will?

A French Will remains valid even if it is not registered. However, registration provides an important safeguard by ensuring that the existence of the Will can be easily identified following the testator's death. When administering an estate, French notaires routinely search the French Central Wills Register to determine whether a Will has been registered and where the original document is held. 

Why consider a French Will?

Many British nationals own French property, bank accounts, investments, or other assets in France. While an English Will can be recognised in France, a dedicated French Will can simplify estate administration and avoid practical difficulties arising from differences between English and French succession law. 

In particular, a French Will can be used alongside an English Will as part of a coordinated cross-border estate plan. Careful drafting is essential to ensure the two Wills work together and do not unintentionally revoke one another. 

The importance of cross-border planning

Since the introduction of the European Succession Regulation (commonly known as Brussels IV), British nationals with connections to France may be able to choose the law of their nationality to govern the succession of their estate. This can have important implications for individuals wishing to depart from French forced heirship rules and preserve greater testamentary freedom. 

However, succession, inheritance tax, and estate administration remain complex areas, particularly where families have connections to more than one country. Professional advice remains essential to ensure that Wills are drafted correctly and reflect your overall estate planning objectives.

How Stone King can help

Our International & Cross-Border team advises clients throughout the UK who own property or other assets in France. 

With the ability to register French Wills with the French Central Wills Register, we can now offer an additional layer of protection and certainty for clients looking to put comprehensive arrangements in place.

If you own assets in France and would like to review your existing Wills or discuss succession planning, please get in touch with our International & Cross-Border team.