Donation-partage explained

Updated March 2026 - A donation-partage makes it possible to transfer and allocate, during your lifetime, all or part of your assets between your presumptive heirs. It is a very useful tool when the goal is to anticipate family transmission rather than leave the division of assets to a later succession process that may be much more tense.

See also donation-partage drawbacks, family business transfer and our Dutreil example.

It is used to:

• ▸organise transmission before death;
• ▸fix an allocation between beneficiaries;
• ▸reduce certain sources of future family conflict;
• ▸transfer business shares in a more structured framework.

The donor chooses the assets transferred, their allocation and the beneficiaries. When a company is involved, the central issue quickly becomes valuation and the balance between family members.

This tool is frequently chosen because it allows families to:

• ▸anticipate the transfer;
• ▸combine business transmission with a clearer family framework;
• ▸sometimes connect the structure with a Dutreil pact if the legal conditions are met.

Hayot Expertise insight: a donation-partage is not a standard formality. The more business shares, sensitive assets or family complexity are involved, the more important it becomes to document value and family objectives before choosing the tool.

• ▸who will actually take over the business;
• ▸how the other beneficiaries will be compensated;
• ▸how the share valuation will be documented;
• ▸whether a Dutreil pact or a holding company has to be integrated into the structure.

We can review valuation, family balance and tax structuring.

???? Prepare a coherent transfer plan

A donation-partage is a powerful lever when it serves a clear project. It becomes much less effective when launched without solid valuation work or without a clear view of future family governance.

???? Need a transfer options review? We can compare the available routes before any signature. Book an appointment with an expert