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Estate planning

Definition

What is estate planning?

Estate planning refers to the set of legal, tax, and wealth planning strategies designed to organise, during one’s lifetime, the transfer of assets to one’s heirs or chosen beneficiaries. Its purpose is to anticipate the civil and tax implications of death, secure and simplify the distribution of assets, reduce tax friction, and preserve family harmony.

A structured approach to organising wealth transfer.

Estate planning typically involves:

  • Clearly defining transmission objectives (protecting a spouse, supporting children, contributing to a cause, etc.).

  • Selecting the appropriate legal tools: will, gifts, dismemberment of ownership, pacte Dutreil, life insurance policies, marital property regimes, and more.

  • Supporting heirs with tax matters, taking into account the tax rules of their country of residence and, where applicable, international regulations.

  • Ensuring sufficient liquidity to settle the estate (taxes, asset distribution, debts).

  • Protecting and preserving complex estates, including real estate, securities portfolios, family businesses, and international assets.

Anticipating these issues helps prevent conflicts, preserve the value of the assets transferred, and control the tax impact for beneficiaries.

Estate planning in Private Banking

Within Private Banking, estate planning is a central component of wealth advisory services. Clients with significant—often diversified and international—wealth require tailored support that combines:

  • Legal and tax expertise

  • Wealth structuring (financial, real estate, and business assets)

  • Optimisation of savings and investment products (life insurance, capitalisation contracts, protection solutions)

  • Coordination with notaries, lawyers, and wealth planning specialists

Societe Generale Private Banking offers personalised solutions integrating civil, tax, family, and entrepreneurial considerations to ensure a smooth, efficient, and fully aligned transfer of wealth.

A major wealth management issue, especially in France.

In France, estate planning is particularly important due to:

  • Strict civil law rules such as réserve héréditaire (forced heirship)

  • Structured inheritance taxation, with progressive tax scales and various allowances

  • Increased complexity linked to international wealth situations

For these reasons, anticipating one’s estate is essential to navigate French rules while taking into account relevant tax treaties or foreign legislation when assets or heirs are located abroad.

In summary

Estate planning is an essential tool for anticipating, optimising, and securing the transfer of wealth.
In an environment shaped by evolving legal, tax, and family frameworks, the support of experts—particularly in Private Banking—helps build a strategy that is effective, sustainable, and tailored to each family’s unique situation.