Estate Planning and Probate in France vs the UK

by IWC Web Team | Jan 21, 2026 | Estate Planning, French Property & Inheritance, International Probate, Legal Advice, Probate & Estate Management

The French legal system, based on the Napoleonic Code, can be a harsh wake-up call for British expatriates. Even though moving to France from the UK is often a dream of vineyard views and calmer afternoons. The French system is significantly more family-oriented than...

Which Documents Will Require an Apostille When Moving to France?

by IWC Web Team | Dec 15, 2025 | Cross-Border Estates, Estate Planning, French Property & Inheritance, International Probate, Legal Advice

Dealing With Abandoned Properties in France

by IWC Web Team | Dec 1, 2025 | Cross-Border Estates, Estate Planning, French Property & Inheritance, International Probate, Legal Advice, Probate & Estate Management

The management of abandoned properties, sometimes referred to in French as “biens sans maître” (ownerless property) or “abandon manifeste” (manifest abandonment), is a structured legal process primarily handled by town halls or communes. If you...

Do You Need an Apostille for French Probate When in the UK?

by IWC Web Team | Nov 7, 2025 | Cross-Border Estates, Estate Planning, French Property & Inheritance, International Probate, Legal Advice

It might be challenging to handle the estate of a loved one who had assets or property in France, and obtaining an apostille is one of the most common obstacles for documents from the UK. For the French notaire to accept any official UK document required for French...

Understanding the Tontine Clause –French Property and Property

by IWC Web Team | Nov 4, 2025 | Estate Planning, French Property & Inheritance