French Civil Code

Pure and simple acceptance may be express or tacit. It is express when the successor takes the title or capacity of accepting heir in a notarial or private deed. It is tacit when the successor seised performs an act which necessarily implies his intention to accept and which he would only be entitled to do as an accepting heir.

Any assignment, whether free of charge or for consideration, made by an heir of all or part of his rights in the succession entails pure and simple acceptance. The same applies to: 1° A renunciation, even gratuitous, made by an heir in favour of one or more of his co-heirs or heirs of subsequent rank; 2° A renunciation made by him, even in favour of all his co-heirs or heirs…

Acts that are purely conservatory or supervisory and acts of provisional administration may be performed without entailing acceptance of the succession, if the successor has not taken the title or capacity of heir. Any other act required by the interest of the succession and that the successor wishes to perform without taking the title or capacity of heir must be authorised by the judge. The following are deemed to be…

A universal heir or heir by universal title who purely and simply accepts the succession is indefinitely liable for the debts and charges that depend on it. He is only liable for legacies of sums of money up to the amount of the succession’s assets net of debts.

An heir who accepts purely and simply may no longer renounce the succession or accept it up to the amount of the net assets. However, he may apply to be discharged in whole or in part from his obligation to a succession debt of which he had legitimate grounds for being unaware at the time of acceptance, where payment of that debt would have the effect of seriously impairing his…