Chapter II: Preparation, audit and approval of accounts

Articles in this section · 6

Article 510

French Civil CodeIn force

Updated 8 Nov 2023

Each year, the tutor draws up an account of his management to which all useful supporting documents are attached.

To this end, he requests an annual statement of these from the institutions with which one or more accounts are opened in the name of the protected person, without being able to invoke professional or banking secrecy against him.

The tutor is required to ensure the confidentiality of the management account. However, a copy of the account and supporting documents shall be given each year by the tutor to the protected person when he is at least sixteen years old, as well as to the subrogated tutor if he has been appointed and, if the tutor considers it useful, to the other persons responsible for the protection of the person concerned.

In addition, the judge may, after hearing the protected person and obtaining his or her agreement, if he or she has reached the aforementioned age and if his or her condition so permits, authorise the spouse, the partner in the civil solidarity pact that he or she has entered into, a relative, an ally of the protected person or one of his or her close relations, if they can justify a legitimate interest, to have a copy of the account and supporting documents or part of these documents communicated to them at their expense by the tutor.

Mariela Petrova

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Common Questions

Working with a corporate lawyer in France — Q&A

Any time a strategic decision changes how the company is owned, governed or contractually bound — incorporation, fundraising, M&A, restructuring, shareholder agreements, or major commercial contracts. Earlier engagement always costs less than later remediation.

A notary (notaire) is a public officer who authenticates specific deeds (mainly real-estate transfers and certain family-law acts). A corporate lawyer (avocat) advises on strategy, negotiates and drafts company documents, and represents you in disputes. The two roles complement rather than overlap.

Yes — most of our clients are foreign suppliers, investors or holding entities. We bridge the gap between French law and your home jurisdiction's expectations and deliver everything bilingually.

The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) is the default choice for most international structures: flexible governance, single shareholder allowed, no minimum capital, and works cleanly with foreign holding entities. We assess SARL, SA, SCI on the merits when the situation calls for it.

Yes — communications with a French avocat are protected by the secret professionnel (Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971). This protection is broader than the common-law attorney-client privilege and applies to written and oral exchanges.

We work on fixed fees for clearly scoped engagements (incorporation, contract drafting, audits) and on monthly retainers for ongoing advisory. Hourly billing is the exception, not the default. You always know the cost before work starts.

Typical timeline is 2–3 weeks from KYC kick-off to RCS registration, assuming standard documentation. Holding-company structures, foreign-shareholder identification or in-kind contributions can extend this — we flag the gating items at the first meeting.

Absolutely. We routinely coordinate with your in-house counsel, expert-comptable or notaire — pragmatic collaboration is the norm, not the exception. We send them everything they need to do their part without duplicating work.

Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

Avocate au Barreau de Paris

Toque #C2396

15+ Years In Corporate Practice

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Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

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