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Thai Wills & Probate for Foreigners
Bilingual will drafting and probate representation — protect your Thai-situs assets and spare your heirs a 12-month cross-border probate.
Quick Answer
Foreigners with a condo, Thai bank account, vehicle, or business interest in Thailand should hold a separate Thai will in both languages. On death, our executor team files probate at the asset-situs court and obtains the Grant of Administration in 4–8 months. Will: from THB 15,000. Probate: from THB 65,000.
Typical Thai-situs assets
- Condominium unit (freehold in foreigner's name — Condominium Act §19)
- Thai bank accounts (savings, fixed deposit) and mutual funds
- Vehicles, motorbikes registered at DLT
- Shares in Thai limited company
- 30-year leasehold interests
- Personal effects, jewellery held in Thailand
FAQ
- Do I need a Thai will if I have a will in my home country?
- Yes, strongly recommended. Foreign wills are recognized in Thailand only after probate translation, legalization, and re-probate in a Thai court — a costly, slow process. A separate Thai will for Thai-situs assets (condo, bank, vehicle) bypasses this entirely.
- What types of Thai wills are valid?
- Section 1656–1672 CCC recognizes: (1) ordinary written will with 2 witnesses, (2) holographic will (handwritten by testator), (3) public document will (at Amphur), (4) secret document will, and (5) oral will in imminent danger. We prepare types 1 and 3 most often for foreigners.
- How does probate work?
- Executor files petition at the Thai court where assets are located → court publishes notice → hearing → issuance of Grant of Administration (คำสั่งตั้งผู้จัดการมรดก) in 4–8 months. Executor then transfers title deeds, closes bank accounts, and distributes to heirs.
- Cost?
- Bilingual Thai will drafting: THB 15,000 – 35,000. Full probate representation: THB 65,000 – 180,000 depending on asset complexity and heir disputes.
Contact: 083-249-4999 · LINE @NYC168 · contact@ilc.ltd