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Estate Planning for Expats in Thailand
Bilingual Thai-law wills, dual-jurisdiction plans, inheritance-tax minimization, POA, and advance directives.
Quick Answer
Expats owning Thai condos, bank accounts, or company shares should have a Thai-law bilingual will paired with a home-country will covering foreign assets. Inheritance tax applies at 5% (descendants) / 10% above THB 100 million per heir. From THB 15,000 (single will) — THB 65,000 (full plan).
Deliverables
- ✓ Thai-law bilingual will (holographic or witnessed)
- ✓ Home-country coordination memo
- ✓ Durable Power of Attorney
- ✓ Advance directive (living will) under NHA §12
- ✓ Beneficiary designation review
- ✓ Inheritance-tax exposure memo
- ✓ Lifetime-gift plan (THB 20M/year threshold)
- ✓ Holding-company structuring
- ✓ Digital-asset & crypto instructions
- ✓ Executor & guardian nomination
FAQ
- What assets should a Thai estate plan cover?
- Thai condominium units, leasehold interests, Thai bank accounts, Thai company shares, motor vehicles, gold/jewelry in Thai vaults, and life-insurance beneficiaries. Foreign assets remain governed by their situs law.
- Do I need separate wills for Thailand and my home country?
- Yes — best practice is a Thai-law will for Thai-situs assets and a separate home-country will for foreign assets, each with a non-revocation clause referencing the other. Prevents accidental revocation and speeds probate in both jurisdictions.
- Is there an inheritance tax in Thailand?
- Yes, since 2016 the Inheritance Tax Act imposes 5% on inheritances above THB 100 million per heir (10% for non-descendants). Estate planning legally minimizes exposure via lifetime gifts (THB 20M/year threshold), holding structures, and beneficiary designations.
- Cost?
- Thai-law bilingual will: THB 15,000. Full estate plan (dual wills + POA + advance directive + tax memo): THB 65,000. Complex plan with company / trust structuring: THB 150,000+.
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