Distribution of the estate (France)

The final stage in the process is where the estate is distributed between the heir or heirs to the estate.

Things are more complicated when there is more than one heir as the estate assets are held jointly (en indivision) between them, in other words they belong to them all.

It is possible for estate assets to remain jointly owned by the heirs but, in that case, they will need to make joint decisions about those assets, which could result in further complexity and potential disagreement.

Typically what happens is that estate assets are legally divided between the heirs according to their entitlements. This process of distribution is called partage and will require a formal deed of distribution (acte de partage) to be drawn up before a notary.

Final comments

You will often see an acte de partage as part of a French inheritance distribution. A professional translation of this document will help you to be fully confident of your rights and liabilities and will provide legal proof of your entitlements to the estate.

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