Preparing a Will, any experiences ?

[iammike]

I want to make a last will and testament here in Thailand. (I already have one back in Europe listing the assets over there)

Some people told me that you just give a piece of paper to your local Amphur and that is it, we will of course go and ask but my question is does anyone have experience and know where to go and do this.

Thanks in advance.
M

[mahdam]

I want to make a last will and testament here in Thailand. (I already have one back in Europe listing the assets over there)

Some people told me that you just give a piece of paper to your local Amphur and that is it, we will of course go and ask but my question is does anyone have experience and know where to go and do this.

Thanks in advance.
M

Get in touch with Nick, from Thai Widows and Expats. He will sort this for you no problem.
Damned if I can find a link at the moment, but do have a phone number if you want to PM me.

[ThaiWidowsandExpats]

Thai Widows & Expats, in conjunction with our lawyer, have prepared many wills for the expat community in the Buriram and Surin areas.

A Thai only will is recommended  for Thai assets, whilst a worldwide will should be prepared for anything not in Thailand.

We will be happy to provide advice to iammike and anyone else thinking about making a will, either for themselves, or for their wives

Please contact us through this forum or at Thaiwidowsandexpats@gmail,com

[iammike]

Thanks Guys for responding so quickly, really appreciated.

@ThaiWidowsandExpats.
Instead of me asking this via PM or email, could you please explain the process and what to do, what to prepare ?

My Will will be easy, all assets (mainly several bank accounts) are for my Wife, but the only "tricky" bit would maybe be the instructions as to what to do if I am seriously injured etc

Thanks again

[RonTexas]

good question and reply's Mr iammike. this has been on my mind also 
 

[DeputyDavid]

Looking forward to the response as well.

[Wayne from Aus]

I had wills made up by Mam - Solicitor at Korat Legal. Speaks perfect english (married to canadian) and explains everything to you in detail. Wills are obviously in Thai but under each paragraph was the English version/Translation. If you need the number I am happy to provide.
regards

[ThaiWidowsandExpats]

Drawing up a Will is simple and generally straightforward.

It is necessary to determine who will receive your assets (ie money, vehicles property, etc)  and who you will appoint as Executor (the person who will look after your financial affairs after death). We normally recommend this be your Thai wife/partner of trusted Thai friend. Invariably a lawyer will have to be appointed to obtain court documents allowing the executor to access your assets

Assets do not need to be specifically listed, unless some special item is to be given to someone other than the main beneficiary.

Your Will will usually identify your funeral arrangements (cremation, burial and any particular requirements, such as no flowers, charitable donations. repatriation of body and disposal of ashes)

The Will is drawn up in Thai script, from an English draft, signed and witnessed after which it becomes a legal document.

The Will drafter only requires names and addresses of those persons named in the Will, in English and Thai and the information shown above re assets and funerals

A Will only deals with matters AFTER DEATH

Iammike asked about what happens in the event of his beIng seriously injured. This is something to discuss with wife/partner, but normally you would receive treatment in a hospital, public or private dependent on ones financial means.

We do however provide a LIVING WILL, as a free addition to a normal Will. The Living Will is a broad legal instruction to doctors/hospitals not to artificially keep you alive when there is deemed to be no chance of recovery, or your being in a vegetative state and unable to pursue a normal life. Whether to sign or not is of course optional.

Finally Wayne mentioned that his Will, drawn up in Thai has the English translation shown under each paragraph. Some lawyers do this, others frown on it. We prefer to keep the Will as simple as possible, with everything just in Thai script. A full English translation is provided, but with a dual language Will the English translation serves no purpose to either a Thai lawyer or the court.

[iammike]

Thanks Guys !!

In the mean time I have found this, maybe it helps someone

PDF with an example of a Living Will (courtesy of the Pattaya Expats Club)

http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/living%20will%20form.pdf

And these as an example for a will

[DeputyDavid]

So if I have a will from the USA that is quite detailed, could this be translated to Thai and be considered a "Thai will" or should the simple will in Thai referring to the USA will be the best way to go?  Most of my assets are in USA, and one small property in Thailand which would go to the wife.

[CO-CO]

So if I have a will from the USA that is quite detailed, could this be translated to Thai and be considered a "Thai will" or should the simple will in Thai referring to the USA will be the best way to go?  Most of my assets are in USA, and one small property in Thailand which would go to the wife.

I would always recommend a separate Will for each country - especially when Thailand is one of them.

Getting an overseas Will proved in Thailand could be a nightmare.

[ThaiWidowsandExpats]

So if I have a will from the USA that is quite detailed, could this be translated to Thai and be considered a "Thai will" or should the simple will in Thai referring to the USA will be the best way to go?  Most of my assets are in USA, and one small property in Thailand which would go to the wife.

Are you sure you actually own a property in Thailand?  It may be held in a Company name, but unlikly to be in your name unless you have Thai citizenship.

[DeputyDavid]

Condo in my name.

[iammike]

So if I have a will from the USA that is quite detailed, could this be translated to Thai and be considered a "Thai will" or should the simple will in Thai referring to the USA will be the best way to go?  Most of my assets are in USA, and one small property in Thailand which would go to the wife.

I would always recommend a separate Will for each country - especially when Thailand is one of them.

Getting an overseas Will proved in Thailand could be a nightmare.

+1.

I have a will back in Europe with my wife as the sole beneficiary, but it can take a while before she can access my accounts there or that the money is transferred to her account here in Thailand. (I have heard "horror" stories of 6+ months waiting for the money to arrive.)

All I have in Thailand are Bank accounts, the houses, cars, motobikes are already in my wife's name, and those accounts are not covered in my European Will.

@ThaiWidowsandExpats

What are the costs involved in making a will and a Living Will ?

[ThaiWidowsandExpats]

Condo in my name.

Had overlooked condo's

To transfer ownership of a condo would require court documents. A simple Thai Will at the outset, with your wife shown as executor, is far better and quicker than going through the rigmarole of translating a universal will and having to show documentation for any foreign executor, with translations etc etc.. Note also there is only one universal will, and therefore assets in different countries could only be dealt with separaetly as each country would require the original will.