FAQ : Legal

It is a strong point of the French legal system that the notaires are officials with public responsibilities. As well as acting for a client they also represent the state. This implies an official neutrality and it is not unusual for a French seller and a French buyer to agree on a single notaire to handle the transaction.

Although a single notaire may carry out the conveyance of the property each party has the right to nominate a notaire. In this case the two notaires will work together. Notarial fees remain the same as in the case of a single notaire.

The notaire is also an expert in tax issues relating to property, notably capital gains and estate duty. He or she can be considered as a valuable adviser on the legal and tax aspects of your purchase.

Notarial offices are increasingly taking into account the language needs of buyers from other countries. Please consult us on this point as we can often put you in touch with such notaires.