Drafting a will in Thailand
Drafting a will for Thai assets protects beneficiaries you choose, not only statutory relatives. Include condominiums, leaseholds, bank accounts, and personal effects with clear descriptions. Lawyer-drafted witnessed will reduces challenge risk for large estates.
At Thai Visa Centre, we refer will drafting to licensed Thai succession counsel. For probate after death, see our probate administration guide.
Wills and intestacy under the Civil and Commercial Code.
Land and condo transfers to heirs often require probate orders.
Thai and foreign wills should not conflict on the same assets.
We refer succession counsel and coordinate document legalisation.
Valid will formats
Will requirements are defined in the Civil and Commercial Code and applied by Ministry of Justice probate courts.
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Holographic will | Wholly handwritten, dated, signed by testator. No witnesses required if format perfect. |
| Witnessed will | Signed before witnesses per Civil Code. Preferred for complex estates. |
| Public will | Made before public official. Less common for everyday foreign residents. |
| Foreign will coordination | Ensure Thai will does not accidentally revoke home-country will on same assets. |
Administrative divorce workflow
Mutual consent divorce at amphoe requires both spouses, complete agreement, and original marriage certificate from the registering district. Verify licensing on the Lawyers Council of Thailand register before engaging any firm.
Inventory Thai assets
Condo unit numbers, bank accounts, vehicles, and leasehold references.
Choose beneficiaries
Name persons, charities, or trusts subject to forced heirship limits.
Appoint executor
Primary and alternate with contact and Thai co-executor if foreign resident.
Lawyer drafts and witnesses
Reduce invalidity risk and store original securely.
Review after life changes
Update within months of marriage, divorce, or new purchase.
Drafting checklist
Invalid wills force intestacy distribution you may not intend, excluding unmarried partners entirely.
- List sin somros implications if married at death affecting spouse share.
- Specify whether beneficiary receives condo subject to foreign quota rules.
- Reference title deed or chanote number for land-related bequests.
- Coordinate with home-country will lawyer on which jurisdiction governs each asset.
- Tell executor where original will stored and provide asset summary letter.
TVC coordination: We coordinate document translation referrals, MFA legalisation guidance, and visa planning for foreign heirs and executors. We do not provide probate representation or will drafting.
Common estate planning mistakes
Foreigners with Thai assets repeat the same succession gaps. Most are preventable with coordinated Thai and home-country counsel.
- Drafting will without listing specific condo unit and title deed number.
- Naming beneficiaries only by nickname without legal name matching ID.
- Storing only digital scan without original for probate court submission.
- Creating conflicting wills in two countries on same Bangkok bank accounts.
- Forgotten signature or date on holographic will invalidating entire document.
Long-stay and lifestyle context
Many readers use this page while scouting Thailand for relocation, visa runs, or extended holidays. Pair your plans with immigration status that matches how long you actually stay. Tourist exemption and short tourist visas are for trips: not for building a life here.
See our Thailand lifestyle guide for visa paths, city choices, TM30, 90-day reporting, and compliance habits that keep long-stay holders out of trouble at immigration.
Court vs TVC scope
Drafting a Last Will and Testament in Thailand: Protect Your Assets (2026) requires licensed Thai advocates for binding legal work. TVC coordinates visa status, certified translation referrals, and stay planning. we do not substitute for bar-licensed counsel.
Stay status during cases
Family, probate, and criminal matters can run months. Plan visa extensions, 90-day reporting, and re-entry before hearings stack up, lapses block extensions even when your case is strong.
Language and evidence
Court and amphoe proceedings are in Thai. Foreign documents need certified translation and often MFA legalisation. Start authentication early; deadlines do not wait for postal delays.
Life after judgment
Winning at trial or registering divorce does not automatically resolve immigration status. Coordinate visa category changes with licensed counsel before your marriage or business visa basis ends.
Practical planning matrix
Use this matrix alongside the sections above before you confirm dates, payment, or visa paperwork tied to this stay.
| Decision | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Licensed counsel | Retain a Thai attorney before responding to summons or filing at amphoe or court |
| Document bundle | Organise IDs, contracts, and correspondence chronologically for your lawyer |
| Deadlines | Missing court dates or appeal windows forfeits rights. Calendar every official appointment |
| Visa planning | Maintain valid stay status throughout proceedings; TVC helps with extensions and reporting |
| Translation | Budget certified Thai translation for foreign-language evidence before hearing or registration dates |
TDAC reminder: Every Thailand entry requires a fresh Digital Arrival Card within 72 hours of landing: including return trips on Elite, LTR, retirement, or marriage visas. Keep your confirmation offline in case airport Wi-Fi fails.
For entry documents and first-arrival checklists, see our Thailand entry requirements.
Frequently asked questions
General answers on succession and inheritance in Thailand. Consult licensed Thai counsel for estates with significant Thai assets.
Q:Can will cover leasehold?
A:Yes. Specify lease rights and assignment wishes. Land office rules apply on death.
Q:Does home-country will cover Bangkok condo?
A:Not automatically. Coordinate both jurisdictions.
Q:Minimum age for testator?
A:Fifteen years with capacity under Civil Code.
Q:Can I disinherit spouse?
A:Spouse has sin somros and statutory share rights. Limited disinheritance.
Q:Does TVC draft wills?
A:We refer succession counsel. We coordinate legalisation of foreign documents.
Q:Need witnesses for holographic will?
A:Not required if wholly handwritten correctly. Witnessed format safer for large estates.
Q:Where store original will?
A:Lawyer custody, secure home safe, or both with executor informed.
Q:Where are will rules published?
A:Ministry of Justice Civil Code succession book and Office of the Judiciary.