A local notaire, not the one dealing with my late wife’s succession, advised that the best thing I could do in the face of her 3 childrens’ intransigence, they appear to be holding up the whole process by not complying with the notaire’s demands, because they realise due to usufrut they inherit nothing 'till I die, is to offer to buy them out of their half of the house thus giving them immediate, but not great, profit.
This would give me full ownership and be much easier for my own two children to sort out when the time comes.
An immediate benefit for me would be the release of Fran’s savings account to me, which I reckon must contain around €9,000. A long way towards recouping for me the money I would have to pay them for the house.
Just wanted to say Badger, that thanks to you and your generous sharing of French electrical information, plus a few manuals , the OH totally rewired our old house. So we are glad you came.
I hope you find a solution to the inheritance issue that works for you and your whole family. From the positive nature of your posts over the time I have read them I can’t believe that that fly in the ointment will do more than dent the pleasure you’ve experienced during the time you have spent in France. All big decisions carry an element of doubt and I’m sure that back then you made the right choice.
This may or may not be a comfort to Badger, but whilst the IHT is a possible financial niggle that he can’t resolve he will be able to enjoy seeing his children and grandchildren on a regular basis whereas we cannot. It’s a compromise that we had to make to protect their inheritance but we know we will miss out on watching the grandkids grow up to some extent which is something money can’t buy.
This is why it is legal to adopt an adult in both France and Germany and prob lots of other places. My stepfather adopted me precisely because if not, then I’m no relation should anything happen to him and decisions need to be taken, (and of course inheritance tax rates).
I went to our notaire 2 weeks ago to see if I could adopt my nieces. Which I can with some effort on both sides. But it would not have an effect on the succession according to her. Expressly forbidden to avoid IHT
I tried to adopt my step children from my first marriage but it was refused because their birth father had to give his permission. But as he had disappeared after his release from gaol it was not possible to find him. This had an effect which changed our lives in another way. We were refused emigration to Australia as 10 pound Poms for the same reason.
But although all 3 are grandparents themselves now, and more than 40 years after my divorce from their mother, they still refer to me as Dad.
Indeed it is only a slight dent. We often sit in our lovely kitchen overlooking our garden & views beyond & agree that even if we left France tomorrow that we’ve had a great time.
We are reaching some conclusions & I will put them out there once we feel that they might stick.
Sorry, I had assumed your stepchildren lived in France apart from the son/daughter in London. We’ve left ours spread across mainland France (and beyond).
Sadly you are right. I retired from the NHS nearly 4 years ago and it was broken then. My family either pay for BUPA or one of the other private healthcare companies as they cannot even get a GP appointment. They have had to pay privately for a routine procedure as were told the wait was 6 months but probably nearer a years wait.
I would give it serious thought returning to the UK now. I don’t recognise my home town and I can’t put up with sitting in a restaurant hearing the F word in practically every sentence.
At least in france you have community, convivial local events and don’t fear walking out at night.
If you immerse yourself in your community and speak a little french, I’ve found you get the support needed in old age.
I am very sorry to have to say I agree with everything you say in your post.
I hope you do not receive too much abuse from those that have a different view to you (and me) and believe the NHS is a truly wonderful organization and they do not believe that there are far too many overpaid jobs worths sitting in offices who are paid far in excess of the people who actually matter ie nurses and junior doctors.
I really don’t think you should worry about that (forgive me if I’ve misunderstood). It’s reasonable to regret the effect a tax regime will have but (as someone perhaps closer in age to them than to you) if I were one of your step-children l wouldn’t expect anything, while being grateful for anything I did receive.
Although I hardly ever go there these days but I do see tv etc and I must agree with you. I suppose it is because I live alone (the dogs don’t object and one is deaf anyway) but I use that all the time in the house because I get so angry at the world, but never ever when there are others present. I don’t offend myself but it is used so commonly now in films and tv dramas that I do find that offensive.
That is exactly the case - they don’t expect anything but, as @vero says…
…which is the whole point. The fisc want their money, usually within six months. If our property took 2 years to sell they will be collectively out pocket by, probably, around 120 000 € until the asset is realised
I had to listen hard to my four year old grandson twice when he said fox in english. His french accent came out exactly sounding like the F word. You don’t realise what little ears pick up after so long not having that age and the two year old is copying everything now.
