Why can I not cancel health policy with a month’s notice?My health mutuelle provider says I cannot cancel with a month’s notice but need to wait until the anniversary date. Do mutuelles not come under the same rules as other contracts which you can cancel with a month’s notice? J.G.
Do we need French and UK wills?We are married with three children from my husband’s first marriage. I have no children. We bought our home in France in 2006 and included a tontine clause. We have made a will in England excluding all property and assets elsewhere. Do we still need to make a will in France, excluding everything in England, or can we now include the French property in our English will? We are French (tax) residents.
Can a child be excluded?My brother has not spoken to my mother for many years and she does not wish to leave anything to him (he has already had a lump sum before she moved to France). Will she now be able to leave her estate to my other brother and myself?
Must I upgrade my UK will for France?I am updating my will (held in the UK) and am advised that to cover my wishes for my French property (my main and only home), I must take out a French will through a French notaire. Do you agree?
Can my wife become a dependant on my S1 form?I am now 65 and have an S1 health form. I am covered as a dependant of my wife who is self-employed in France but is thinking of stopping. Can I join the Puma system and can my wife then be my dependant? P.T.
Is there compensation for delayed ferries?Air tickets are reimbursed under certain conditions in the case of delays but is this also true for ferries? If so, do we contact the ferry operator directly? R.S.
Can a motorhome be sold without a spare wheel?I bought a motorhome in France last year and have just discovered that it does not have a spare wheel. I just presumed there would be one. So, is it legal to sell a vehicle without a spare wheel? J.H.
Can cyclists legally ride on the pavement?Are cyclists allowed to ride on the pavement? Also, I notice they generally do not stop for red lights – is that legal? G.I.
How long is a prescription for medicine valid for?How long does an ordonnance (medical prescription) remain valid for? D.D.
Stopping someone feeding stray catsWe keep a boat in our local port. A woman regularly feeds stray cats on her barge and they do their toilet on the other boats. It is disgusting to clean. The capitainerie and mairie have not helped. Is there any law to cover this? M.S.
What is a ‘living will’? I would like to know how a ‘Living Will’ is dealt with in France. What does one have to do, who do I contact and does a professional, such as a GP, have to sign it? My children are aware that I do not want to be resuscitated but so far nothing is in writing. U.C.
Dog barks all day and nightWe have a neighbour who lets his dog bark all night and most of the day. He has been written to by the mayor, myself and a conciliation officer. I confronted him after he had been away all weekend leaving the dog unattended but he suggested I go back to the UK.
Told that permanent carte de séjour does not existIn recent issues there has been a lot of queries about Cartes de Séjour which I have been Interested in as I have been a resident in France as a retired Englishman for nine years. I visited my préfecture in Cahors to request one with the word ‘permanent’ as you suggested and was told no such card exists and they can only give a 10-year card. Is there a website where I can find out more so I am prepared next time? P.P.
Contesting plans to build houses alongside our gardenWe bought the land that our house is on from a farmer 11 years ago. Now he wants to sell plots beside our garden, with houses that will take away our view and privacy. Do we have rights? A.C.
How does university entrance work in France?Can you explain the university entrance procedure in France? Is it similar to the UK where applicants receive offers before their exams and a place if they make the required grade?
Help paying for work on private septic tankA recent Connexion article referred to money from SPANC to help with work on a cesspit. What is available? J.K.
How do I get accents with Windows 10?I have a new computer which uses Windows 10. On my old one I opted to use the US International keyboard layout, thanks to a Connexion article, so as to do accents. However, it does not seem to be available on this new operating system. Is there a solution? M.C.
Do we need to get a pet passport for tortoise?We live in the UK and would like to take our tortoise with us to our holiday house in the Languedoc. Can we? O.G.
May I pick fruit from a tree on a public road?What is the law when a fruit tree hangs over a public road and you want to pick some fruit? M.P.
Driving after a strokeMy husband had a stroke. Is he still allowed to drive here? Will he be insured? I am worried about what would happen if he had an accident. W.S.
Regulations on collecting for a charityWhat are the rules and regulations regarding collecting for charity? Does one need a permit from the police? B.J.
