My Children No Longer Speak to Me: Do I Have the Right to Deprive Them of Their Inheritance?

Short answer: not because of silence or conflict.

French law is extremely protective of children’s inheritance rights. A child can only be excluded in exceptionally serious circumstances, such as:

attempted murder or violence against the parent
physical or psychological abuse
malicious false accusations in court
serious crimes committed against the parent
Even then, disinheritance is never automatic.

It must be:

explicitly written in a valid will
backed with evidence
and often confirmed through legal proceedings
It is a demanding process, because the law considers the parent–child bond foundational, even when strained.

For parents who wish to organize things differently—peacefully and legally—several solutions exist.

1. Use the Disposable Portion
You may allocate this part freely to anyone you choose.
It’s the simplest way to honor meaningful relationships as you see them.