With longer life expectancies, inheritances now often occur at retirement age, compared to around 30 in the early 20th century. Some parents want to pass on part of their assets earlier to children who need it more. Experts emphasize anticipating these transfers to avoid family conflicts.
Rising life expectancies delay inheritance to later ages. As Me Charles Callaud, a tax law attorney, explains, "in the early 20th century, people inherited around 30. Today, it's at retirement." At that point, recipients have usually built their lives and are considering their own asset transfers, notes Alix Guégan, senior patrimonial engineer at Milleis Banque Privée.
This demographic shift heightens the issues. Parents, aware their children might need the funds sooner, sometimes make lifetime gifts, especially for real estate purchases or other needs. However, these involve tax fees that can be lowered using lesser-known methods.
Me Nathalie Couzigou-Suhas, spokesperson for the Paris Notaries Chamber, stresses preparation: "Transmissions can lead to dramas if not well anticipated or discussed. To avoid them, talk about it. We're not psychologists, but we're here to best inform families on fiscal and relational aspects." Open dialogue aligns expectations and optimizes legal steps, preventing costly disputes.
As the population ages, these concerns will grow. Professionals recommend exploring tailored tax options to streamline gifts, enabling peaceful family transfers.