French marriage contract: bring the right facts to the notary
If you choose a marriage contract in France, a notary must draw it up before the wedding. The appointment considers each partner’s assets, professional circumstances and children. Also organize debts and connections with other countries that may change the questions to ask. This worksheet prepares information for that discussion; it does not choose a matrimonial property regime or replace the notary’s deed.
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What should both partners prepare before meeting the notary?
A useful file separates each partner’s assets, debts and plans. The aim is to make the questions concrete, without automatically selecting a matrimonial property regime.
Fictional example · you can change the fields
Your entries stay on this page until you choose to continue.
| Section | Prepare | Question for the notary |
|---|---|---|
| Each partner’s assets | Titles, dates and acquisition methods | How do ownership and funding differ? |
| Debts and guarantees | Loans, guarantees and instalments | Which commitments expose which assets? |
| Joint plans | Purchase, business or relocation | How should contributions be documented? |
| Family | Children and previous family arrangements | Which effects need coordinating with inheritance? |
Your preparation
Your agenda for the notary
- A · Apartment acquired before marriage
- B · Savings and an existing personal loan
- Plan to examine: Buy a property together.
- This sheet recommends no regime. Bring titles and contracts, then examine the consequences together.
Must we choose a regime before the appointment?
Prepare facts and objectives to discuss with the notary; this page does not select a regime. Source M1
When must the contract be drawn up?
The notary draws it up before the wedding. Ask for an appointment suited to your wedding date; there is no standard lead time stated here. Source M1
Which assets and debts should we list?
List what each partner owns or owes, whose name it is in and the available records. This is an appointment worksheet.
Why record children and professional circumstances?
The official guide includes these facts in the notary’s assessment. Record relevant details without treating them as an automatic regime choice. Source M1
What happens in the other cases?
- Before marriage
- A marriage contract is drawn up by a notary before the wedding. Prepare the appointment and the certificate needed for the marriage file.
- Already married
- Changing the regime is a different procedure. Identify the current regime, children and creditors to discuss with the notary.
- International element
- Nationalities, residences and asset locations may matter. Do not infer applicable law just from the contract language.
Which cross-border connections should we flag?
Record nationalities, places of residence and assets abroad. Different national rules may become relevant. Source M1
What should we ask about a proposed contract?
Ask which assets, debts and events each clause concerns and which points need the notary’s clarification.
Which record goes into the wedding application?
Where a contract is concluded, the wedding application includes the notary’s certificate. Also check the mairie’s instructions. Source M2
What can Julie prepare before the appointment?
Julie can organize facts and questions. The regime decision and notarial deed remain matters to address with the notary. Source M1