My widowed mother wants to sell her house: how should she proceed?

Selling a widowed mother's house: Find out all the necessary steps, expert tips, and solutions to secure the property sale in 2025.

"Selling a family property after bereavement requires notarial procedures and the consent of heirs. Relying on a local expert ensures peace of mind."

Introduction

Wondering if your widowed mother can sell the family home on her own? The answer depends on estate distribution: most often she holds the usufruct while children are bare owners.

Spouse's rights after death

In France, the surviving spouse usually doesn’t inherit full ownership right away. The usufruct allows living in or renting the house; selling requires the agreement of the bare owners, generally the children. This rule protects everyone's interest and secures the inheritance process.

Cases when sale is possible without children's consent

Your mother can sell alone only if she owns the full property—either the house is exclusively hers or a spousal donation grants her this right. Such situations are rarer than the common split between usufruct and bare ownership.

Selling with heirs' consent: steps and solutions

Once the house is split, all heirs must agree to any sale. Should conflict arise, notarial mediation is often effective. If mediation fails, the law allows majority sale by two-thirds of the co-owners or, as a last resort, a court-mandated sale.

Essential steps

Before selling, a notary must establish the deed of notoriety, draft the estate inventory, and handle the compulsory tax declaration. Professional property valuation—free at Nicolas Immobilier—is key to a secure transaction and family dialogue.

Why choose Nicolas Immobilier?

Our agency leads the Massy, Palaiseau, and Chilly-Mazarin market, with over 1,400 authentic testimonials highlighting our professionalism, proximity, and unmatched responsiveness (client testimonials). Our market expertise ensures the best valuation. We focus on personal guidance, transparent advice, and reliable estate tools (free estimate). Explore our news and expertise (source article). Want to buy? See the latest opportunities 

Nicolas Benoit, local expert

Nicolas Benoit manages Nicolas Immobilier in Massy, Palaiseau, and Chilly-Mazarin. His approach blends technical expertise, transparency, and human connection, serving 1,400+ satisfied buyers and sellers since 2025. Learn more about Nicolas Benoit: about us.

Advice from Nicolas Immobilier in Massy, Palaiseau, and Chilly-Mazarin

Before selling, consult your notary and request a professional valuation to ensure full legal and tax security. Nicolas Immobilier guarantees expert and caring support for a smooth transaction.

key topics:

• house sale
• inheritance
• usufruct
• valuation
• notary