Succession

Your brother has moved into the inherited house and refuses to sell? In French joint ownership he owes an occupancy payment, you can claim five years of it, and nobody stays stuck: buyout, court-approved sale or judicial division.

Your in-laws claim the inheritance after your spouse's death? In France the surviving spouse always inherits: with children, parents-in-law receive nothing; without, a quarter each at most. The home, family assets, wills and life insurance.

Settling an estate means accepting or renouncing, declaring within six months, then leaving joint ownership. The succession option, the reserved share, the surviving spouse's rights, tax and deadlock between heirs.