We recently hosted our inaugural French private client roundtable breakfast, welcoming guests from the French private wealth community.
The event brought together professionals advising French high-net-worth individuals and families to explore the legal complexities that can accompany a lifetime of cross-border decisions. Through the fictional case study of M and Mme DuPont, our specialists followed the life cycle of a French couple relocating to England, from immigration and marriage to taxation, divorce and inheritance planning.
Following the DuPonts’ journey
Married with two young children, Monsieur and Madame DuPont moved to London in January 2026 to take up full-time employment, bringing with them a range of financial interests, including a chalet in France, an investment portfolio and a London property.
Their journey began with Emma Dauriac, who explored the immigration considerations associated with relocating to the UK, including routes to settlement and British citizenship.
As the DuPonts established their new life in England, Claire Wood and Colleen Hall examined the interaction between French and English Family law. Their discussion covered French marriage contracts and matrimonial property regimes, the recognition of French civil partnerships (PACS), and the importance of considering pre- and post-nuptial agreements. They also explored how these arrangements might be treated by the English courts should the couple’s marriage break down.
Turning to the financial implications of the move, Alice Pearson from Mercer & Hole and Paul Davidoff guided guests through the UK’s statutory residence test and the new Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime. They considered the potential tax advantages available to qualifying individuals during their first four years of UK tax residence, following at least ten consecutive years of non-UK residence.
Finally, looking further ahead in the DuPonts’ lives, Joseph Austin TEP examined inheritance tax and succession planning, highlighting the importance of considering how assets held across France and the UK might be passed to future generations.
Looking beyond borders
The case study illustrated how decisions made at one stage of life can have significant consequences further down the line, and the importance of taking coordinated legal advice when personal and financial affairs span multiple jurisdictions.
We would like to thank everyone who joined us for an engaging morning of discussion and exchange. For further information about any of the topics covered, or to discuss how they might affect you or your clients, please contact our team.
Kingsley Napley is planning an event for French nationals in 2027, should you wish to attend, please contact our marketing team here.
We look forward to continuing the conversation with our French private wealth network at future events. To discuss any of the topics raised in this article, please reach out to our Anglo-French team.
