French Law Solicitors

As solicitors specialising in French law, we offer practical and accessible advice that is focused on meeting our clients’ needs. Our services include: 

• French Property Law – Including buying, selling, mortgaging, gifting or transferring residential property. We protect our clients’ interests and work closely with the French notaire who usually acts for the buyer, seller and mortgage company in any one transaction. Trousset Fawcett advise regarding different forms of ownership, French tax implications and estate planning and make sure that our clients’ instructions are recorded in the relevant contractual documentation.
• French Wealth Tax (Impôt sur la Fortune Immobilière, I.F.I)  Trousset Fawcett will take on various roles relating to French wealth tax including assessing whether it is payable and, if so, when it is due, calculating the amount due, instructing specialist French avocats and communicating with the French tax authorities if necessary. 
• French Inheritance Tax (Droits de Succession) - When winding up estates including French assets, we will assess whether French inheritance tax is payable by any beneficiaries and, if so, when. We will also calculate the amount due and will obtain the official certificate confirming either payment or that no tax is payable (certificate d’exigibilité ou de non exigibilité des droits).
• French Capital Gains Tax (Plus Values).  Any transfer of ownership of property (residential property or shares) in France may give rise to a capital gains tax. The French notaire is responsible for calculating, filing the return and paying any amount due. Trousset Fawcett will optimise your position by assessing whether further allowances may be claimed to reduce your exposure and will advise regarding associated costs, such as appointing a tax warrantor. We also assist if a further claim must be made to recoup any capital gains tax paid. 

Please see our terms of business here.