In France, once children reach adulthood at 18, they bear full responsibility for their finances and debts. However, parents may step in under specific circumstances, such as when their adult child lives at home without resources for basic needs or when parents act as guarantors for loans or leases.
France sets civil majority at 18, granting full legal capacity to enter contracts and manage finances. From this age, individuals must assume responsibility for their actions, including repaying any debts they incur. Parents are generally not liable for these obligations.
Likewise, adult children must pay their own fines or penalties for offenses—parents have no duty here.
Parents' sole ongoing obligation is providing maintenance—food, clothing, and shelter—for adult children unable to support themselves, often during extended studies or financial hardship while living at home.
While adult children must repay their own debts, parents may be legally required to intervene in certain cases, particularly as guarantors.
Guarantees are common for rentals or loans. Parents often act as sureties for landlords, promising to cover rent if their child defaults—a frequent requirement in France.
As guarantors, parents can be pursued first, depending on the guarantee type: simple or joint (solidarity).
For a simple guarantee, the landlord must first serve the tenant (adult child) with a payment order via bailiff. Only if unpaid can they approach parents. Importantly, the bailiff must copy parents; failure exempts them from late-payment interest.
With a joint (solidarity) guarantee, landlords can demand payment directly from parents, bypassing the child. Always clarify guarantee terms when signing to limit exposure.
Parents can terminate open-ended guarantees anytime; fixed-term ones require waiting until expiry.
Another scenario: Public hospitals can seek payment from relatives for an adult child's unpaid care if they lack means, potentially via court order under maintenance duty.
If your live-at-home adult child faces seizure, only their assets are targeted. Protect yours by documenting ownership of household items.
