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Legal Guardianship in Thailand
Family Court guardianship petitions for minors and incapacitated adults — including foreign guardian appointments.
Quick Answer
We handle the full Thai Family Court guardianship petition — social welfare investigation, court hearings, translated documents, and issuance of the guardianship deed. From THB 45,000, typically 3–6 months.
Common scenarios
- Surviving foreign spouse petitioning for a Thai minor child after death of Thai parent
- Grandparents (Thai or foreign) applying for guardianship of orphaned grandchildren
- Guardian of an incapacitated adult (dementia, disability) — with Section 28 CCC petition
- Cross-border child recovery — coordination with Hague Convention authorities
FAQ
- What is legal guardianship in Thailand?
- Guardianship (ผู้ปกครอง) is a Thai Family Court order appointing an adult to care for a minor or incapacitated person and manage their assets. It applies when parents are deceased, incapacitated, or have lost parental rights.
- Can foreigners be appointed guardian?
- Yes. Thai courts may appoint a foreigner as guardian if it serves the child's best interest, especially when the foreigner is a close relative (grandparent, aunt/uncle) or the surviving spouse of a Thai parent. Additional documentation and translations are required.
- How long does the process take?
- Typical timeline: 3–6 months from petition filing to court order, including social welfare investigation, hearings, and issuance of the guardianship deed (คำสั่งตั้งผู้ปกครอง).
- Cost?
- Full legal representation: THB 45,000 – 120,000 depending on complexity (contested vs. uncontested), plus court fees and translation costs (~THB 8,000–15,000).
Contact: 083-249-4999 · LINE @NYC168 · contact@ilc.ltd