Inheriting real estate is a reality for many French families. Whether it's a family apartment, a country house, or a prestigious residence, transferring property raises legal, financial, emotional, and estate-related issues. For both heirs and testators, it is essential to understand the key concepts and obligations associated with this transfer.
Marseille, the Phocaean city, continues to attract an international clientele in search of luxury real estate investments.
The real estate agency Christophe Falbo Properties, based in Marseille and specializing in high-end properties, offers an exclusive selection of properties in sought-after areas such as the Old Port, the Calanques, as well as the bohemian districts of the 6th and 7th arrondissements.
Our property portfolio extends from Saintes Maries de la Mer to Cavalaire-sur-Mer, offering charming houses, architect-designed villas and vineyard estates overlooking the magnificent Mediterranean bay.
REAL ESTATE INHERITANCE: UNDERSTANDING THE FUNDAMENTALS
Inheriting real estate is a reality for many French families. Whether it's a family apartment, a country house, or a prestigious residence, transferring property raises legal, financial, emotional, and estate-related issues. For both heirs and testators, it is essential to understand the key concepts and obligations associated with this transfer.
The main features of inheritance law in France
In France, inheritance law is based on highly structured principles. Upon the death of an owner, their assets are automatically transferred to their heirs, whether designated by law or by will. The rules of inheritance distinguish between forced heirs (children or surviving spouse) and other beneficiaries.
The inheritance can be accepted in three ways:
Simply put : the heir accepts everything, including the debts.
Subject to inventory benefit : he accepts after verifying the assets and liabilities.
Renunciation : he refuses the inheritance, especially if it is insolvent.
The involvement of a notary is mandatory if the estate includes real estate.
Inheritance tax: a key financial issue
Inheritance tax is calculated based on the relationship between the deceased and the heir. In direct line of descent, allowances are provided:
€100,000 per child
€15,932 between siblings
Beyond that, a progressive scale applies (up to 45% for very large direct line transfers).
It is therefore common to seek to anticipate the transfer of real estate through a donation, a SCI or a clause in a marriage contract.
Joint ownership: an often complex reality
When several heirs share a property, it becomes jointly owned. Each holds a share of the property. Management is then collective: selling, renovations, and renting require the agreement of all or a qualified majority.
Joint ownership can become a source of conflict if the co-owners cannot agree. In this case, resorting to a sale or a court-ordered partition becomes necessary. Hence the importance of planning a balanced and collaborative transfer strategy in advance.
Acceptance, refusal, or sharing: the choices to be made
Before becoming the actual owner of the property, the heir must make a decision. They can choose to accept the inheritance, refuse it, or request an amicable or judicial division.
If there is any doubt about the value of the property or the charges attached to a property (works, property taxes, conflictual joint ownership), the assistance of a notary or a specialist lawyer is strongly recommended.
🧭 "Real Estate Inheritance" Series: taxation, SCIs (French real estate investment companies), contested inheritances, renovation of inherited property
Our comprehensive report on the topic of real estate inheritance.
Real Estate Inheritance File
The emotion of a gift passed down
Inheriting real estate is often a highly emotional experience. Whether it's a family manor, a Provençal farmhouse, or a Haussmannian apartment , these properties embody a history, a lifestyle, and sometimes a generational connection. But inheriting real estate is not simply about emotional transfer: it also raises legal, tax, and strategic issues that must be fully understood.
🧭 "Real Estate Heritage" Series – Charming Properties
1. Inheriting real estate: Understanding the fundamentals
Key legal concepts (inheritance, wills, joint ownership)
The stages of real estate inheritance
Inheritance taxes and allowances in effect
The decision to accept or reject an inheritance
📌 Target audience : Potential heirs, property-owning families
2. Passing on a prestigious property: the best strategies
Simple donation, shared donation, division of ownership
Advantages of the SCI (Société Civile Immobilière) for family property
Preparing for a smooth succession in a blended family
Concrete examples and heritage schemes
📌 Target audience : Owners of older, high-end, or multi-generational properties
3. Managing an inherited property: restore, rent, sell or keep?
Technical diagnosis of the inherited property
Renovating without altering the character: with or without an architect from the French Buildings Authority
Charming furnished or seasonal rental
Resale: when and how to use a specialist agency
📌 Target audience : New owners or co-owners wishing to increase the value of a property
4. Taxation and assistance for inherited properties
Transfer taxes and post-inheritance taxation
Possible tax relief for historical monuments
DRAC or Heritage Foundation grants and subsidies
Tax deductions for renovations and maintenance
📌 Target audience : Heirs or owners of a listed or registered property
5. Real estate inheritance disputes: how to avoid or resolve them?
Conflictual joint ownership
Disagreements over the sale or retention of the property
Using a notary or mediation
Arbitration and the role of the probate judge
📌 Target audience : Families in dispute or in a deadlock regarding a property
6. Testimonials: They inherited an exceptional property
Stories from individuals who inherited castles, manor houses, and family villas
Successful transformations (guest house, seasonal rental, renovation)
Failures avoided thanks to expert guidance
📌 Target audience : General public, future heirs, heritage enthusiasts
7. The emotion of the place: real estate heritage as family memory
The role of place in the transmission of values
Preserving the soul of the family home
Restore with respect
Intangible heritage (archives, objects, photos, stories)
📌 Target audience : Families attached to sentimental and historical heritage
Why Choose Charming Properties?
🌍 International Visibility
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📸 High-End Photos Recommended.
Professional visuals are essential for making a great first impression. We help you showcase your property with quality images.
💰 Direct Sale, Zero Commission.
List your property without an agency and keep 100% of the sale price. Total control, flexibility, and direct contact with buyers.
🛠️ Marketing Support:
We write and optimize your ad for search engines. You provide the information, we take care of the rest.
📬 Easily Submit Your Listing:
Send us your description, photos, and energy performance certificate (DPE) via WeTransfer. We will verify your property according to our quality standards.
⚠️ Legal Compliance
Mandatory display of the DPE for all properties in France: we systematically integrate it into your advertisement.
💶 Simple and Transparent Pricing
Fixed-price publication, commission-free
Premium visibility options
Connecting you with professional photographers
➡️ Customized offers available upon request
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