No children, no will...

We are married, have no children and have lived in France for 14 years but do not have wills organised. We thought to make our wills according to UK law but we need advice on what to do to ensure this works under French law. 

Our local notaire, who is English speaking and did the work on both our house sale and purchase, does not seem interested in helping. We have tried to make an appointment several times but have not had a reply.

We would like to leave our property and other assets (cars/motorcycles/collections etc) to friends. I have a brother with three grown up children whom I would also like to benefit. My husband has no one left related to him. We know that the French system means that a beneficiary is taxed at 60%.

Your local notaire is perhaps not familiar with this type of query.

As you have no children, there is no particular benefit in your choosing UK law to govern your succession as your testamentary wishes are perfectly achievable under French inheritance law.

Choosing the law of your nationality would, if anything, complicate the probate formalities on your death and increase the cost, as the French notaire who would administer your estate in France would not necessarily be familiar with the UK succession rules and procedures and would require specialist advice from a UK lawyer as well as translations of various documents etc.

To be valid, a French olographe will needs to be written entirely by hand, dated and signed by the testator himself. There is no requirement for the will to be signed in the presence of a notaire or witnesses. Registration of the will in France is advisable but not compulsory. As such, you do not necessarily require the involvement of a French notaire