Prenuptial Agreements in France

This service is designed for English-speaking individuals or international couples who plan to marry in France or with a French citizen and want to formally define their property and financial arrangements before marriage.

It’s especially helpful for:

• Couples with significant assets or income disparities

• Business owners or professionals seeking to protect their estate

• International couples subject to different inheritance and property rules

• Previously divorced individuals looking to safeguard children’s inheritance rights

A French prenuptial agreement (contrat de mariage) allows you to choose a matrimonial property regime tailored to your relationship, ensuring financial clarity and long-term protection.

In France, prenuptial agreements are governed by the French Civil Code (Code Civil). The Civil Code includes a number of provisions that regulate marital agreements, which includes prenuptial agreements. 

These agreements allow couples to define the regime of their assets before marriage, offering an alternative to the default regime of community property (régime de la communauté réduite aux acquêts) that applies in the absence of a prenuptial agreement. Key aspects of the French Civil Code concerning prenuptial agreements include:

• Contractual Freedom within Marriage: The French Civil Code allows couples significant freedom to organise their matrimonial regime through a prenuptial agreement. This can be done before the marriage takes place and involves specifying how assets and liabilities will be managed during the marriage and in the event of its dissolution.
• Notarisation: For a prenuptial agreement to be valid in France, it must be formally drawn up by a notary (notaire). The notary ensures that the agreement complies with French law and that both parties understand their rights and obligations. The notarised agreement is then registered.
• Modification Post-Marriage: The French Civil Code also allows for the modification of matrimonial regimes, including prenuptial agreements, after marriage. However, this requires judicial approval, and the interests of third parties must be taken into account.
• Types of Matrimonial Regimes: Couples can choose from several types of matrimonial regimes, including community of property (communauté de biens), separation of property (séparation de biens), and participation in acquisitions (participation aux acquêts), each with its own rules for managing property during the marriage and upon its dissolution.
• International Considerations: For international couples, or when assets are located in different countries, France's participation in various international agreements and EU regulations, such as the EU Regulation 2016/1103 on matrimonial property regimes, may also affect the recognition and enforcement of prenuptial agreements across borders.

1. Customised Legal Drafting: Assistance in drafting and formalising your prenuptial agreement, tailored to the French legal system.
2. Asset and Debt Management: Specification of how assets and debts will be managed during the marriage.
3. Protection Against Financial Disputes: Aims to prevent future financial disputes by outlining asset and debt management in advance.
4. Compliance with French Law: Ensuring the agreement is compliant with French legal standards, despite the current non-recognition of prenuptial contracts in France​​.
5. Specialised Legal Advice: Providing expert legal support and advice throughout the process.
6. Independent Legal Representation: Encouragement for each partner to seek independent legal representation.
7. Facilitation of Open Communication: Assisting in discussions about finances and expectations.
8. Professional and Confidential Service: Maintaining a high standard of professionalism and confidentiality.
9. Expert Legal Representation: Access to experienced attorneys specialising in French family law.

• Financial Security: Ensuring financial security for both partners, especially the financially weaker half.
• Clear Responsibility Demarcation: Outlining responsibilities such as debt management.
• Protection for Businesses and Heirs: Safeguarding business interests and ensuring rightful inheritance for children from previous relationships.
• Handling of Non-Financial Aspects: Addressing custody and religious upbringing of children in case of separation​​.
• Comprehensive Legal Support: Expert advice and guidance for navigating the French legal landscape regarding marital agreements.
• Focus on Equitable Solutions: Aiming for fair and balanced resolutions that reflect the interests of both parties.