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No crisps, no party games: the unwritten rules of French children’s birthdays
Columnist Samantha David describes the ups and downs of a French birthday party for children
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France responds to EU’s proposed solutions to inheritance law ‘problem’
However wait continues for couples affected as officials consider further follow-up
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More amusing place names in France: from Anus and Chitry to Misery
Readers add to the collection
French renovation rule over children having to OK work is insulting
Firm told readers they needed to have their children sign-off on a payment they need to make to it
We recently decided to have work done on our house and were told by the firm that we needed an attestation giving approval from one of our children.
We are owner-occupiers with no debt and, although both over 75, we are in good health and not suffering from any physical or mental decline.
Fortunately, we have a good relationship with our children and the signature was a formality, but clearly that would not be the case for everyone.
It seems that in France we cannot ‘spend our children’s inheritance’ without their permission! My (French) son-in-law tells me this is put in place for our protection, but I cannot quite get over the insult!
Catherine King, by email
Editor’s note: French law is indeed generally protective of children’s inheritance rights but this scenario sounds excessive, assuming the property is not partly-owned by your children.
This was confirmed by notaire François Trémosa of Tremosa-Leschelle et Associés, near Toulouse: there is no law imposing any permission unless you are deemed mentally incapable but in such a situation it would be a judge that imposes precautions, not a renovation company.
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