How can I reduce my wife's admin after my death in France?

Reader Question: Some years ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I have put my affairs in order, but my wife is not computer-literate and hates using the phone. How can I reduce the administration she will likely face after my death? 

These days a lot of things are done online or by phone. Your wife may well need someone to help her, but that is fine.

If you die as a French resident, a French notaire must be instructed to administer the estate. It would be wise to involve a notaire who is known to you or who comes recommended as some are more helpful than others.

They may well be happy to contact French companies to help cancel or change over any assets, liabilities and subscriptions. Others, however, expect the client to do that once the notaire provides the certificat d’hérédité or an attestation de dévolution successorale (summary document to show who inherits).

Additionally, you could also instruct a specialist UK firm, such as ours, to help ease things along and liaise between your wife and the notaire. We can also contact the various companies and sort subscriptions etc. 

In addition, it may be worth speaking to the local mairie, as they can be very helpful too.

Another recommendation is for you both to set up a mandat de protection future, which can appoint someone to deal with the French financial affairs for you. If you have UK assets, also get a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) – it is easier than explaining a French document to a UK institution.

It sounds like you are already doing the right things by organising how your assets are set up now, and transferring any contracts or subscriptions, taxe foncière, taxe d’habitation, and insurance into your wife’s name. For bank accounts, consider having them in her name, or joint names as Monsieur ou Madame (not Monsieur et Madame).

I assume you have ensured your wife can inherit your estate, and have a will in place, or a tontine, or a Universal Community marriage regime, depending on your family circumstances. If not, that needs dealing with promptly by seeking specialist professional advice.

We can be contacted to provide any assistance your wife may need. We usually deal with matters by telephone and email, but we do have a few clients who prefer to communicate by letter, it just takes a little longer.

John Kitching is a director of French Law Consultancy Limited