UK BEREAVEMENT BENEFITS

[ThaiWidowsandExpats]

 

Upon the death of a British subject here in Thailand, there are no longer any Bereavement benefits for either his wife or children. These stopped almost 4 years ago.

Many British expats here still believe their widows will receive a lump sum payment of ?2,000 + some additional benefits. Sadly they are no more.

Just this week,I have been helping 2 local widows, whose husbands, both in their 80's died recently, and they had told their wives that the DWP would look after them well!

Note also that many who receive monthly annuity payments from the UK may find that they did not provide for any payment to their wives after their death. Once in payment, an annuity cannot be changed to include a wife who came along later.

Finally a word of warning as to who you choose as executor or administrator of your estate. We have had 2 recent cases + several earlier ones, where family members have "dipped into" the estate money in the mistaken belief the widow or those assisting the widow will be unaware.

[CO-CO]

Makes a change from those cases where the husband told the wife that the British Embassy would take care of her financially when he died! 


Maybe also worth mentioning that many people are not aware that marriage invalidates a Will. So for those Farangs who come to Thailand, and marry a Thai lady, they MUST make a new Will otherwise the rules of intestacy will apply. We have have seen more than one case where intended UK beneficiaries have lost out because the widow inherited everything under intestacy rules.

[Gerry]

Makes a change from those cases where the husband told the wife that the British Embassy would take care of her financially when he died! 


Maybe also worth mentioning that many people are not aware that marriage invalidates a Will. So for those Farangs who come to Thailand, and marry a Thai lady, they MUST make a new Will otherwise the rules of intestacy will apply. We have have seen more than one case where intended UK beneficiaries have lost out because the widow inherited everything under intestacy rules.

That is interesting. I wasn't aware of that.