Consumer and banking · Care home · final account
French care-home contracts: leaving and the final bill
A French care home’s final bill depends on the contract, reason for leaving and services actually payable. Following death, removal of belongings matters; the regulatory six-day limit does not create an automatic charge. Separate accommodation, advances for undelivered services and the security deposit. A relative does not automatically owe the balance merely by dealing with the home.
- Leaving
- Room
- Account
- Official texts cited
- Sources checked on
- Drafted with AI assistance, our method
General legal information with official references and dated checks. It is not personalised advice: for a decision that commits you, have your situation checked by a qualified professional.
Julie by AlphaDeep
Are six days always payable?
The care-home final bill seems wrong: let’s separate dates, services and advances.
3 free questions at signup. Avoid names and sensitive information.
Can the initial residence contract be withdrawn?
The resident has fifteen days after signature, or later admission, to withdraw in writing. Only the actual stay is then paid. Capacity and representative authority still need checking.
Related step: Consumer and banking
Which documents belong together?
| Point | Check |
|---|---|
| Leaving | Notice or death |
| Room | Evidenced removal date |
| Account | Separate accommodation, advances and deposit |
Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article L311-4-1Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article D311-0-3
What notice applies afterwards?
Termination is written and possible at any time; the forty-eight hours for reversing that decision count within notice. EHPAD notice cannot exceed one month: check any shorter contractual period.
Related step: Care home costs in France: who pays, the children’s maintenance duty, the accommodation aid and the estate
Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article L311-4-1Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article D311-0-3
What can be billed after death?
After belongings are removed, only unpaid pre-death accommodation services may be billed. If belongings remain, the limit is six days, deducting variable catering costs and providing the prescribed evidence of duration.
Related step: Funeral quotes and invoices in France: what to check
Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article L314-10-1Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article R314-149
What does the governing text say about final account?
Au décès du résident, dès lors que ses objets personnels ont été retirés des lieux qu'il occupait, seules les prestations d'hébergement délivrées antérieurement au décès mais non acquittées peuvent être facturées.
Les sommes perçues d'avance correspondant à des prestations non délivrées en raison du décès sont restituées dans les trente jours suivant le décès.
In plain English: The resident has fifteen days after signature, or later admission, to withdraw in writing. Only the actual stay is then paid. Capacity and representative authority still need checking.
How do the final-bill items reconcile?
Fictional example: €900 of items for review less €1,200 advances gives a €300 accounting credit, without validating charges.
Fictional example · Your preparation worksheet
The reconciliation shows an arithmetic balance for review. It validates neither post-death billing nor a relative’s personal liability.
| Item to check | Value or document |
|---|---|
| Bill to review | €900 |
| Applied advances | €1200 |
| Bill less advances | €-300.00; negative = accounting credit to check |
Match contract, departure or death date and evidence of belongings removal.
Separate accommodation, undelivered services, advances and security deposit.
Request an itemised corrected account with the manager’s supporting documents.
The deposit is treated separately. Six days is a conditional limit, never an automatic post-death charge.
Continue with Julie
How do advances differ from the security deposit?
Advances for services undelivered because of death are returned within thirty days of death. The deposit follows its own regime, involving an exit inventory and possible deduction of evidenced debts.
Related step: Accept, refuse or accept up to the net assets: an heir’s three options in France
Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article L314-10-1Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article R314-149
What evidence should be requested for a disputed bill?
Request contract, daily breakdown, payments, belongings-removal evidence and exit inventory. The manager must substantiate the relevant duration. This review is separate from welfare support, family maintenance duties or personal guarantees.
Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article R314-149Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article L314-10-1
What else should you know about final account?
Are six days always payable?
No. It is a conditional limit, not automatic billing.
Is EHPAD notice always eight days?
No. Do not import rules from other establishment categories.
Are advances and deposit one sum?
No. Identify each payment and its return rules.
Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article R314-149Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article L314-10-1
Does the calculation decide who owes payment?
No. It reconciles entries without deciding a relative’s or estate’s liabilities.
Which sources explain final account?
- Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article L311-4-1Légifrance
- Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article D311-0-3Légifrance
- Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article L314-10-1Légifrance
- Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article R314-149Légifrance
- Code de l'action sociale et des familles, article L314-14Légifrance
- Établissement hébergeant des personnes âgées, guide du 23 mars 2026DGCCRF
- Établissement d’hébergement pour personnes âgées dépendantesService Public
Texts cited last checked: 20 October 2026