Собственноручное завещание во Франции: как составить действительный Testament Olographe

The testament olographe is the simplest and most common form of will in France. It requires no notary and no witnesses — but it must follow strict rules to be valid. Article 970 of the French Civil Code is clear: the will must be entirely handwritten, dated, and signed by the testator.

Three Absolute Requirements (Art. 970)

Failure to meet ANY of these three requirements renders the will completely void.

Réserve Héréditaire (Forced Heirship)

French law protects certain heirs (réservataires) with a guaranteed share of the estate:

You cannot disinherit your children under French law. The quotité disponible (freely disposable share) is what you can allocate as you wish.

FCDDV Registration

The Fichier Central des Dispositions de Dernières Volontés (FCDDV) is France's central will registry. While registration is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended:

• Ensures the will is found after death
• Notaries automatically search the FCDDV during succession
• Registration costs approximately EUR 30-35 via a notary
• Without registration, a valid will may never be discovered

Common Invalidation Mistakes

1. Typed or printed text — even a single typed word can invalidate the entire will
2. Missing date — without a complete date, the will is void
3. Someone else's handwriting — even partial dictation invalidates it
4. Signature in the wrong place — must be at the very end
5. Contradicting the réserve héréditaire — provisions exceeding the quotité disponible are reduced
6. Ambiguous language — unclear instructions lead to litigation
7. Not revoking previous wills — multiple valid wills cause confusion

How to Store and Share Your Will Securely

Your will contains your most intimate wishes and sensitive financial information. While the original must be kept safe (ideally with a notary or in a secure location), you may need to share details with family members or your legal advisor.

LOCK.PUB lets you create a password-protected memo containing key information about your will — its location, your notary's contact, or specific instructions. Share the link via Telegram with trusted family members. The memo can be set to expire or persist as needed.

Step-by-Step: Writing Your Testament Olographe

1. Use blank paper (no pre-printed forms)
2. Write everything by hand in ink
3. Start with: "Ceci est mon testament" (This is my will)
4. Clearly identify yourself (full name, date of birth, address)
5. State your wishes clearly and specifically
6. Include the complete date (day, month, year)
7. Sign at the very end
8. Consider adding "Je révoque tout testament antérieur" (I revoke all previous wills)
9. Register with the FCDDV through a notary

When to Use a Notarial Will Instead

Consider a testament authentique (notarial will) when:

• Your estate is complex (multiple properties, international assets)
• You have a blended family
• You want to include specific conditions
• You want maximum legal certainty
• You need advice on optimizing the quotité disponible

Conclusion

The testament olographe is a powerful legal instrument — free, private, and immediately valid — but only if the three conditions of Article 970 are respected. Register it with the FCDDV, and keep the original safe.

For sharing will-related information with family or your notary, use LOCK.PUB to keep sensitive details protected and accessible only to those who need them.

Planning your estate is an act of care for those you love. Do it right.