French Succession Action Checklist
Not sure where to begin after losing a loved one with assets in France? Our French Succession Roadmap provides a clear, step-by-step guide through the entire process—from the first days after bereavement and appointing a French notary, to gathering documents, understanding probate, managing inheritance tax, transferring property and finally completing the succession. Designed specifically for UK families, it links together all of our guides and resources to help you navigate a French succession with confidence.
If you’ve recently lost a loved one who owned property or assets in France, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming.
This checklist provides a practical order of actions to help you organise the succession. Not every step will apply to every family, but following this guide should help ensure that nothing important is overlooked.
Immediate Priorities (First Few Days)
Funeral Arrangements
☐ Locate and contact the funeral director.
☐ Obtain multiple official copies of the death certificate.
☐ Ask the funeral director what documentation they require.
Secure the Estate
☐ Secure all French properties.
☐ Collect and account for all property keys.
☐ Change locks if security is uncertain.
☐ Check for leaks, damage or urgent repairs.
☐ Remove perishable food.
☐ Ensure buildings insurance remains valid.
Locate Important Documents
☐ Locate the Will (UK and/or French).
☐ Locate passports and identification documents.
☐ Locate property deeds.
☐ Locate insurance policies.
☐ Locate bank statements.
☐ Locate vehicle documentation.
☐ Locate pension information.
☐ Locate trust documentation (if applicable).
During the First Few Weeks
Appoint Professionals
☐ Locate and instruct a French notary.
☐ Locate a UK solicitor if UK probate, trusts or cross-border advice may be required.
☐ Locate a certified translator.
☐ Arrange a UK notary public if powers of attorney will be signed remotely.
Identify the Estate
☐ List all French properties.
☐ List UK properties.
☐ Identify French bank accounts.
☐ Identify UK bank accounts.
☐ List investments.
☐ List pensions.
☐ List vehicles.
☐ Identify any outstanding debts.
☐ Identify ongoing direct debits.
Obtain Valuations
☐ Arrange property valuations.
☐ Value vehicles.
☐ Value valuable possessions where necessary.
☐ Obtain bank balances at the date of death.
Notify Organisations
Financial
☐ Banks.
☐ Building societies.
☐ Investment providers.
☐ Pension providers.
☐ Credit card providers.
☐ Mortgage lenders.
Government
☐ HMRC.
☐ Tell Us Once (where available).
☐ DVLA.
☐ Department for Work and Pensions.
☐ HM Land Registry (where necessary).
Property
☐ Utility providers.
☐ Internet provider.
☐ Telephone provider.
☐ Buildings insurance.
☐ Contents insurance.
☐ Council Tax or French property taxes.
Healthcare
☐ GP surgery.
☐ Hospital consultants.
☐ Care providers.
☐ Medical insurance providers.
Work With Your French Notary
☐ Identify all legal heirs.
☐ Supply requested documentation.
☐ Arrange certified translations where required.
☐ Sign powers of attorney if using remote signatures.
☐ Review the Acte de Notoriété.
☐ Review inheritance tax calculations.
☐ Pay inheritance tax when due.
☐ Arrange transfer of property ownership.
If Selling French Property
☐ Meet with local estate agents.
☐ Provide title deeds when requested.
☐ Arrange EPC or other required reports.
☐ Obtain property clearance quotations if required.
☐ Obtain cleaning quotations.
☐ Arrange repairs if necessary.
Before the Succession Completes
☐ Check all bank accounts have been dealt with.
☐ Ensure all taxes have been settled.
☐ Confirm property ownership has transferred.
☐ Retain copies of every important document.
☐ Store translations, powers of attorney and notarial documents safely.
☐ Keep receipts for funeral expenses and estate costs.
☐ Confirm all heirs have received their inheritance.
Helpful Reminders
✓ Keep digital copies of everything.
✓ Reply promptly to requests from your notary.
✓ Don’t throw away paperwork until the succession has fully completed.
✓ Keep a timeline of every action you take.
✓ Use our French Succession Workbook to organise documents, contacts, deadlines and correspondence.
✓ Remember that every succession is different—your French notary may ask for additional documents depending on your family’s circumstances.