To ensure that an inheritance goes smoothly, there is one document in particular that should not be overlooked.
As they get older, many people start to think about their legacy, what they will be able to pass on to their loved ones when they are no longer here. Generally, the idea germinates after an event such as a marriage, the purchase of a property, the birth of children, the discovery of an illness or a separation. But between what we plan for his succession and what really happens afterwards, there are sometimes unpleasant surprises. Me Olivier Pontnau, associate notary at Act&Notaires in Paris, also notes this in his study.
According to him, there is one document that should not be neglected when making an inheritance: the will. In principle, on this document, the person writes their last wishes, in particular on how they wish their property to be distributed after their death. It is a way of ensuring that those close to her will receive what she wishes to convey to them. But we still must not neglect an important step.
Indeed, according to Me Pontnau, most people who write their will themselves, without going through a notary, do not think about “the preservation of their will”, underlines the expert. “Some people keep their will at home, in their belongings, under a mountain of papers and the risk is that no one will find it. Likewise, if you give it during your lifetime to the beneficiary, they may lose it and if it falls into the hands of a person who has no interest in it being revealed, they can destroy it. The first thing to do is to rule out threats against the document. , he explains to us. And for this, you should keep your will in a safe place, a safe for example, and inform your notary well in advance.
Another option, if you want to go through a professional, know that the notary, “keeps the original of the will in a safe and also enters it in a national file”the Central File of Last Wills and Testaments (FCDDV). This way, your will is recorded and is easily accessible. Furthermore, the notary is the person able to correctly transcribe your wishes so that your will is valid and there are no surprises at the end!
