It’s a more common situation than people think: children who drift away, who stop answering calls, sometimes for years.

For some parents, this silence becomes a constant ache… and one thorny question arises: is it possible to cut them out of your inheritance?

In other words, can you legally disinherit your children? Spoiler alert: it’s not that simple, but there are ways to work around it.

Inheritance in France: a reserved share that can’t be touched

Let’s start with an unshakable legal truth: in France, you can never fully disinherit your children. Unlike in other countries, such as the United States or the United Kingdom, French law protects what are known as “reserved heirs.” And yes, children fall into that category.

The law guarantees what’s called the réserve héréditaire—a minimum portion of your estate that each child is entitled to, regardless of the state of your relationship. That share is:

• 50% if you have one child,

• two-thirds to be divided if you have two,

• three-quarters split among three or more children.

What’s left? That’s the quotité disponible—the disposable share—which you can leave to whomever you wish, within limits.