Getting money back from a French Bank

HughWood

Hi
I don't know whether this is the most appropriate forum to pose my problem but perhaps someone could steer me towards a better place to get some answers. I'm the sole executor for a man who died in August. He'd lived in France and had a total of 54 euros in a French bank. I've sent them a copy of his will and death certificate, but the bank won't release the money without a formal certificate from a French notary which, I guess, might cost more than the 54 euros. The relevant department have been singularly unhelpful and not answered my request for information about how and where one applies for this certificate and what it might cost. Can anyone help?
Hugh :mad:

johnmoney05

To be honest, for 54 euros...I will give it a miss.

System

The French bank probably expects a 'certificate of inheritance'.
http://www.leparticulier.fr/jcms/c_83407/mon-pere-est-decede-pour-debloquer-largent-de-son-compte-bancaire-la-banque-nous-demande-un-certificat-dheredite-la-mairie-refuse-de-nous-delivrer-ce-document-en-a-t-elle-le-droit
This apparently would cost 54.75 euro, in the unlikely event that you can find a French notary who will accept your grant of probate.
Alternatively, if you are in the mood for some fun, you could try writing to the bank enclosing a sealed or certified copy of your grant of probate, pointing out that it entitles you as executor to claim the funds, and telling them where to transfer them (IBAN and BIC of the account you are using for the deceased's funds).
If they don't reply, check their website for their complaints procedure. If they blather about accepting only French documents, complain to one of your Euro MPs.

bengal-stripe

YoungNick wrote: »

If they don't reply, check their website for their complaints procedure. If they blather about accepting only French documents, complain to one of your Euro MPs.

That's called: "Using a sledge hammer to crack a nut!"

Loughton_Monkey

There is a universal law that applies (probably) to all estates. The law states that the time, trouble, and cost of recovering the asset, is inversely proportional to its value.

I recall about 30 years when my father died with a "massive" estate of a miserable £5K-ish, the £3,600 in a Building Society came virtually instantly. £1,500 'guarantee' residue from his pension scheme was not far behind. £300 from Lloyds Bank came with a little bit of hassle, even though they had originally been executors of the will (but passed over to me).

However, the smallest amount was his £6.35 Co-op dividend account. This one took ages, and became a point of principle. No 'certified copies' for them. No! Originals only. Plus a rather long 'questionnaire', and the money was finally released only upon me signing an "Indemnity" in case I was not entitled to the funds.

In your case, you don't mention the bank. I would strongly suspect that they have some form of representation in London. Why not approach someone there, and as a matter of 'PR' they might be able to pull some strings back in the Paris Ranch.

missile

It would have been easy had he left you access details for online banking.

HughWood

Many thanks for putting your minds to this problem. The bank is BNP Paribas nand I'll look for a UK office. I know 54 euros isn't much but there is a principle involved and anyway why should they keep it - it's not their money!
Hugh

olly300

missile wrote: »

It would have been easy had he left you access details for online banking.

Problem is for security reason you are not suppose to write them down.

Burglars look through documents now for passports and driving licences so if they saw your online banking login details they would take those as well even if they later found they could use them.