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Making a will in France, known as a testament, is essential for ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. 

If you have moved here from another country, the process may seem complex but it can be simplified by understanding the different types of wills available and the key steps you need to

follow to create one.

This is the most common and straightforward type of will, written for yourself only and not as a couple. 

It must be entirely hand-written, signed, and dated by you, and this does not need to be done in front of witnesses or a notaire. 

It is recommended to write it in French using the correct legal terms to avoid any errors or the need for translation later. 

The will should be clear and specific, with all the relevant details about your estate.

For more security, an authentic will is a type drawn up by a notaire in the presence of two independent witnesses. 

This ensures the validity of your will and makes it legally harder to contest. 

While this option will incur a fee (typically around €200), it does give you the option of writing a longer will if needed.

A secret will involves handing your will to a notaire in a sealed envelope, witnessed by two other individuals. 

This will provides the privacy of a holograph will with the legal security of an authentic will but in practice is rarely used.

This type of will can be made in any language and is aimed at individuals with assets in multiple countries. It must be signed in front of two witnesses and a notaire. 

However, the international will does not override local French inheritance laws, so it is essential to ensure that it aligns with French rules. 

As well as this, the UK among other countries did not ratify the convention that brought in the international will.

By taking the time to gather the necessary information first and think through what you would like to do, you can be well prepared for writing your will.

Before drafting your will, make an inventory of your assets. This means real estate (immeubles) and movable items (meubles) which also includes bank accounts, shares, and any other valuable

possessions. 

Estimating the value of these assets can help you make informed decisions about how to share them out.

Clearly identify who will inherit your estate, specifying each beneficiary’s full name, address, and relationship to you. 

Be specific to avoid ambiguity and ensure your wishes are followed.

You can draft and type your will first on a computer but for a testament olographe, a handwritten copy on paper using black ink is legally required in France. 

Ensure that the will is signed and dated with your usual signature at the end.

While it is possible to create a will on your own, consulting a notaire ensures that your will complies with French inheritance law. They can also help register your will.

It is recommended to keep your funeral wishes (volontés funéraires) in a separate, easily accessible document rather than include them in your will.

Registering your will with the Fichier Central des Dispositions de Dernières Volontés (FCDDV) ensures that it is easily found after your death. 

Although this step is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to avoid any complications. 

Registration costs around €100, which includes the notaire’s fees for lodging and archiving the will.

If you own property in both France and another country, it is possible to make separate wills. 

A French will can cover your assets in France, while an English or Scottish will can handle assets elsewhere.