Advice for Professionals

This section is for notaries, legal professionals and asset management experts. This is where you will find helpful information to advise your clients and documentation that may prove useful if you are currently working with the Bequests department on an estate. Two dedicated websites are also available : one for the Conference on philanthropic trusts and one for the Think tank on philanthropic trusts.

TRANSNATIONAL SUCCESSIONS

THIS SECTION RELATES TO FRENCH WILLS UNDER FRENCH LAW. TO DRAW UP A WILL FOR THE INSTITUT PASTEUR FROM ABROAD, OR IF THE ESTATE IS LOCATED IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES, PLEASE DRAW UP AN INTERNATIONAL WILL UNDER THE WASHINGTON CONVENTION OF 1973. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR CLIENT'S WISHES ARE FULLY RESPECTED WHEN THE SUCCESSION OPENS.

Advising a client who wants to make a gift

Since it has recognized charitable status, the Institut Pasteur is authorized to receive bequests and notarized major donations that are exempt from transfer duties.

Some investments, such as temporary donations of usufruct or donations under article 788-III of the French General Tax Code, entitle the donor to tax reductions or exemptions.

Settling an estate or a notarized donation

To help you with the process of settling an estate or a notarized donation, the following documents are available to download:

If you would like a copy of the Institut Pasteur's Articles of Association and the act of delegation of authority, please contact the Legacies Department by email at the following address:

legs@pasteur.fr

The procedure for receiving bequests and notarized major donations has two clear stages:

Acceptance of the gift
Formal legal settlement.

1- Acceptance of the gift

When the Institut Pasteur is informed by a notary of a bequest or a notarized major donation, the Institut submits the case to the Bureau of the Board of Directors who decides to accept it or not. To do this, the Bureau needs three documents:

a copy of the will or of the notarized deed,
in the case of a bequest, an extract of the death certificate
a balance of the assets and liabilities of the testator’s estate.

To establish the balance, the notary:

draws up an inventory of the movable property (furniture or safety deposit box) destined to the Institut Pasteur, and
assesses the real estate or has it assessed by an agency.

An order from the Prefecture is no longer required

The ruling of July 23, 2015 simplifies the legislation for charities and foundations, now entitling them to freely accept any gifts made to them.

The settlement and liquidation of gifts can begin as soon as the Bureau of the Board of Directors has given its acceptance.

2- Liquidation of the gift

When the decision to accept the gift has been issued, depending on the type of bequest, notarized donation or estate, the notary will be asked to:

carry out the formalities enabling the Institut Pasteur to take possession of the gift,
release the bank funds,
request the transfer of title to the Institut Pasteur's account,
arrange for an auctioneer or an antique dealer to empty out the property, depending on the type of furniture
sell the property or mandate a real estate agency to do so.

In the latter case, the Institut Pasteur will contact the Direction de l’immobilier de l’Etat to assess the property.

CONFERENCE ON PHILANTHROPIC TRUSTS

The Conference on Philanthropic Trusts was launched in 2009 by the Institut Pasteur for professionals in asset management and philanthropy. The conference, which takes place over a day in the Institut Pasteur’s main auditorium, has become a highly-respected event attended by leading experts and eminent figures in the field.

Find out more about the Conference on Philanthropic Trusts

THINK TANK ON PHILANTHROPIC TRUSTS

This think tank is the first interdisciplinary research group in the field of philanthropy. Its role is to issue regular expert opinions on asset management for philanthropic purposes.

Find out more about the Think Tank on Philanthropic Trusts