Different matrimonial property regimes do not exist under English law, although they do exist in France. Choice of matrimonial regime can be a useful French estate structuring option for many married couples.
They work by allowing a couple to apply specific rules to how their estates in France will be governed, perhaps as part of one matrimonial ‘pot’, or with each spouse retaining entirely distinct interests in their property.
Depending on your situation, you may be able to choose a specific matrimonial property regime to be applied to your French estate, to allow, for example, the surviving spouse to be the sole beneficiary of the French property or the interests of children being deferred until the time of the second death.
Part of our advice to you will be the consideration of application of a suitable matrimonial property regime.