Book III: Different ways of acquiring property

The wills mentioned in the preceding article may still, if the testator is ill or wounded, be received, in military hospitals or medical units, as defined by army regulations, by the chief medical officer, whatever his rank, assisted by the managing administrative officer. Failing this administrative officer, the presence of two witnesses will be required. .

In all cases, a duplicate original of the wills referred to in articles 981and 982. If this formality could not be carried out due to the testator’s state of health, a copy of the will, signed by the witnesses and by the instrumental officers, is drawn up to take the place of the second original. It shall mention the causes which prevented the second original from being drawn up. As…

A will made in the form established above shall be null and void six months after the testator has come to a place where he is at liberty to use the ordinary forms, unless, before the expiry of this period, he has again been placed in one of the special situations provided for in Article 93. The will will then be valid for the duration of this special situation and…

Wills made in a place with which all communication is impossible because of a contagious disease may be made by any person suffering from that disease or situated in places infected with it, before the judge of the judicial court or before one of the municipal officers of the commune, in the presence of two witnesses.

Wills made in an island of the French territory, where there is no notary’s office, may, where all communication with the territory to which that island is attached is impossible, be received in the forms provided for in Article 985. The impossibility of communications is certified in the deed by the judge of the judicial court or the municipal officer who receives the will.

The wills mentioned in the two preceding articles shall become null and void six months after communications have been re-established in the place where the testator is, or six months after he has passed to a place where they are not interrupted.

During a sea voyage, either en route or during a stopover in a port, when it is impossible to communicate with land or when there is no French diplomatic or consular agent in the port, if abroad, invested with the functions of a notary, the wills of persons present on board shall be received, in the presence of two witnesses: on State vessels, by the administration officer or, in his…

On government vessels, the will of the administrative officer shall, in the circumstances provided for in the preceding article, be received by the commanding officer or by the person who performs the duties of such officer, and, if there is no administrative officer, the will of the commanding officer shall be received by the person who comes after him in the order of service. On other vessels, the will of…

In all cases, a duplicate original of the wills mentioned in the two preceding articles shall be made. If this formality could not be fulfilled due to the testator’s state of health, an expedition of the will shall be drawn up to take the place of the second original; this expedition shall be signed by the witnesses and by the instrumental officers. Mention shall be made of the reasons which…

At the first stop in a foreign port where a French diplomatic or consular agent is present, one of the originals or the copy of the will is given, in a closed and sealed envelope, to that agent. This agent sends this envelope to the Minister responsible for the sea, so that the deposit provided for in article 983 is made.