Finding a French Will
Most of the time, when a person creates a Will in France they will use a Notary, generally the Notary will register the Will with the French central file for Last Wills (FCDDC). If this is the case then we can help, contact our team who will be pleased to assist. There are however circumstances where a Notary is not automatically used to create the Wills.
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Types of French Wills
The Testament Olographe
This type of Will does not require a notary to prepare the actual Will. This is typical the home made Will it can still be registered at the will registry (FCDDC) if the owner/testator wants it to be registered however they will have to ask a notary to carry out the process on their behalf.
The Testament Authentique
This is the official type of will which is received and written by a notary who then registers it automatically at the FCDDC (central file for wills in France) after the attestation/signature.
The Testament Authentique
This is the less common type of Will which is somewhere between the “olographe” and the “authentique”, i.e the person writes it him/herself but it is deposited at a notary’s office, who does not read it or any kind of advice over the terms of the Will but who will then register the Will at the FCDDC.
The International Will
Designed for French people who live abroad or foreigners who live in France and who own goods in several countries. It was set up by the Convention of Washington in 1973 and put in force in 1994. It can be written in any language and its content is kept secret, however it must be signed in front of a notary and two witnesses. It is automatically registered at the FCDDC.
We can help make an enquiry to the FCDDC, it is important to note however the terms of the Will are not disclosed. The search of the FCDDC checks the existence of a will and advises the name and details of the notary who has the Will and the personal details and marital status of the deceased.
In order to consult the FCDDC we will need a death certificate of the deceased and be able to prove the relationship of the person applying to the deceased, this will need to be done by marriage and or birth certificates.
Contact us for more information about the requirements.