Overseas property inheritance advice re benefits

cocoxue

Hi, I need advice regarding an overseas property inheritance that I'm worried about as this has the potential to cause me extensive financial hardship.

I'm claiming income related ESA with the disabled component, as well as PIP and Housing/Council tax benefits, as I'm housebound due to severe physical disabilities, along with C-PTSD and various other medical conditions that require multiple medications daily; and I live in rented social housing with no assets or savings, and no partner or dependents.

My relative passed away recently in France where he and his wife emigrated years ago, and his wife told me I'm potentially going to inherit a percentage share of their property in France.
The house hasn't been valued yet but as it's in disrepair my share probably won't exceed £15,000, and will likely be less.

That money would be tied into the property though as I won't gain financially until the house is sold, or she passes away.
She will inherit a majority share and will have no legal obligation under French law to sell, nor buy out my potential share or pay rent on said share should I inherit, and she can live there indefinitely.
I love her and I wouldn't expect her to sell her home anyway, but I also don't have the option to move abroad to live in that house with her permanently due to being housebound, language barrier, limited finances, and post-Brexit EU citizenship requirements.

However, under French law I would be obligated to pay my asset percentage of any upkeep/ repair costs the house needs, and I would be in serious legal trouble for not paying.
This is a major concern as I can't afford to replace my leaking fridge so I have no clue how I'd pay an estimated £5,000 for my potential inheritance share's worth of the cost of a new roof that house needs when I wouldn't have access to my share of the money tied into the house, and it's not the only expense, although it is the biggest.

Can I legally refuse to accept this potential inheritance because of the high maintenance costs the house requires that I have no means to pay for, and French property tax that I'd also probably be liable for, or would this be considered inheritance evasion?

And if I have to accept, would this inheritance immediately affect my benefits, or would it be deferred until she sells up or passes away and the money tied up in that house is transferred to me?

Unfortunately, I'll be screwed if I lose most of my benefits that I need to live on and for my care costs as I wouldn't have access to the inheritance money to cover the loss of income - and that doesn't account for the additional costs I'd have to pay, as mentioned above.

I'm very worried I'll end up bankrupt and homeless because of all this and I have no clue what to do, so if anyone can give me advice on what I should do or how this is likely going to affect my benefits, or if anyone has gone through something like this themselves and is willing to share their experience, I would be eternally grateful for your replies please.

Even if you can only point me in the direction of someone who can help and advise me, I'd be grateful for that too. Thank you.