Who doesn’t want to be the owner of a cute little house in a picturesque French village? Or maybe an apartment in Paris or Marseille? Owning property somewhere in France is a dream many British people have and work towards achieving.
So if you are one of the lucky owners – or intend to become one – of a property in France, there are a number of processes that cannot be overlooked.
The Proper Documentation & Representation
Property and financial affairs usually involve legal matters and documentation. In the case of foreign citizens buying property in France, you will have to deal with the usual documents such as title deeds, Certificates, and Diagnostics.
You may also need to have someone represent you in the sale and purchase process. After all, if you live in a different country, you can’t be present at all the meetings. In this regard, you may ask for assistance from a French Notaire, who can represent your interests. However, this requires you to sign a Power of Attorney document that gives them the legal authority to sign documents or make time-sensitive decisions.
Singing a Power of Attorney document is a serious matter that requires careful consideration. You need to make sure you fully understand what’s written in the document and its legal implications. However, this can be a bit difficult if the document is in a language you don’t fully master.
Here is where we come in. Our team of highly-trained translators can help you understand your Power of Attorney documentation and its implications.
Certified Translation of Power of Attorney Documents
All property and financial affairs of foreign citizens in France will be documented and dealt with in French. This means that a French Notaire will provide a Power of Attorney document in the French language.
So, unless you are fluent, you will need a translation of the document to fully understand its content. Of course, the notary service may offer a translation service too, but it may prove more expensive because it is done by French sworn translators.
Plus, the translation of a power of attorney can be tricky and complicated. Let’s not forget that this is still a legal document that has to follow a specific structure. This is why you can’t ask just any translation service to provide a translation. You need the help of language specialists proficient in working with legal terms and matters.
Our translators have the expertise to translate legal documents, and we can accommodate special requests – like arranging the POA in a bilingual format or assisting in updating/changing details on the POA, as part of our after-sales support.
Key Takeaway
British (or other foreign) citizens can turn their dream into reality and buy property in France, but the process has to be done following the proper legal steps. This usually requires your physical presence for signing contracts, viewing properties, and so on.
That’s why it is a good idea to hire the services of a French notary or solicitor who can represent your interests in the process using a POA. This way, you won’t have to travel back and forth between France and your home country, which is especially difficult during COVID-19 times.
A French POA can be requested for a wide range of situations, such as:
- Sale and purchase of property
- Inheritance of estate
- Donation
However, before you sign such an important document, you have to make sure you understand it. We provide certified, official translations of such documents.
Plus, we can prepare a bilingual document (French and English) that you can take to any Notary in the UK. They will verify your signature and make the Power of Attorney a valid legal instrument that can be used in France for your Sale and Purchase process, or for any other reasons.
So don’t hesitate and give us a call or send us an email today!