French law is inheritance abuse

Why does France continue with its inheritance laws? Most French people we speak to don’t rebel against it because it is what they have known all their lives (the law was introduced by Napoleon) but they don’t agree with it.

People always say that the law is there to protect the children. May I ask why adult children need protection? Handicapped children or minors need looking after but not all adult children. This protection goes against the wishes of the very person or people who worked all their lives to earn the money.

Imagine a couple who both worked all their lives, the children are adults, have long had good jobs and have their own families.

Is it right that as soon as one dies the other has to divide what rightfully belongs to the couple with the children - and the more children they have the less the parent gets?

The state is there to receive the taxes but should not have a say in the matter.

Just imagine people who have been abandoned by their children - why should those same children be protected? What about parents who have children living nearby who always cared for them while ones living far away never had the opportunity to do so. Are those who did more to help not entitled to more?

We have been trying for years to find a way to solve this matter in a way that satisfies us. We’re married and both have children from a previous marriage. The only thing we want is that no-one touches what is ours till we are both dead.

It is not easy for people to be seen as going against their own children. People do not agree with the law but they do not dare to challenge it.

Are there any groups fighting for the rights of all of us on this? I’d like to join because this is a gross infringement of people’s human rights.

The issue is about the freedom to do what one thinks is best, which might just be to leave it all to the children but in freedom.

Name and address withheld on request