Can funds be left 'in trust' for my young son?

If I die before my son is of age, can I ensure money I leave to him would not be looked after by his father (my ex-partner) but someone else whom I name until he comes of age? I am British, the father is French.

Honorary avocat Gerard Barron replies: Unfortunately, it is not possible to carry out your wishes in this case. Unless the father’s parental legal rights have been curtailed, he would automatically exercise these and no-one else would be involved. 

Unlike in England, where the title to inherited property only vests on the child’s majority and until then is kept in trust by the executor (who may or may not be the surviving parent), the title vests in the child immediately on the parent’s death.

Cash would be put into an account in the child’s name and administered by the father in his capacity as parent. If the father wants to sell property or use cash (or other assets) to acquire property, that would need a ruling from the juge des tutelles and property acquired would be in the child’s name.