The time limits and their influence for the payments of your invoices

In France the foreclosure for commercial debts is about 5 years.

But they are a lot of other time limits in France that you have to be aware off to secure your payments. It is extremely difficult to get from a judge the skipping of the foreclosure.

You face the risk that your debt is considered as not existent.

If your customer sells his business (goodwill) you have 10 days after the official publication (BODACC) to stop the distribution of the price if you have an unpaid invoice.

This process blocks everything and you are sure to be paid if they are not more unpaid bills as the total amount of the selling price.

If your customer is bankrupt you have 2 months (4 for foreigners) to declare you debt to the receiver.

If you use the very popular injunction procedure you have six months to let the debtor informed via a Bailiff. The debtor can raise opposition within one month and if he doesn’t you have 2 months to ask for the execution.

If the debtor raises opposition you have 15 days to inform the court if you want to go ahead or not with the procedure.

The conclusion is that it’s better and more efficient to manage your open debts in France via professionals as lawyers, debt collection office or bailiff.

The permanent survey of the official publications concerning your customers is also a necessity.