A Last Will and Testament is a declaration of intent concerning dispositions of assets or other matters that shall take effect, according to law, after the demise of the testator. The document will detail your assets in Thailand, such as property, bank accounts, vehicles, and personal valuable items, designating who shall inherit and control them according to your wishes to prevent unnecessary complications and quarrels between family members.
In Thailand, when a person dies without a last will and testament, the intestate’s assets are then distributed according to the law. As stipulated in the Civil and Commercial Code Section 1629, there are six classes of statutory heirs in Thailand. This entitles each class to inherit in the following order:
The right of a surviving spouse to share in the estate of a deceased spouse arises automatically from marital status. Spouses who are under separation do not lose the right of inheritance to one another as long as divorce between them has not been granted according to law. Ordinances awarding such rights to a surviving spouse make the spouse a statutory heir. Before any distribution of the estate to the relatives, half of the estate (Sin Somros) will belong to the spouse, if any, and the rest will be accordingly distributed.
Your Last Will and Testament shall cover five important points:
1. Â Copy of Identification Cards (Passport/National ID Card) of the Testator, Beneficiaries, and Executor
2. Â Contact Information of the Testator, Beneficiaries, and Executor
3. Â Copy of documents of your assets
4. Â Possible Funeral requirements
Overall, the executor will administer your estate and make sure that everything is according to the terms of your will. Therefore, appointing a trusted executor is an important decision that needs thorough consideration. The responsibilities of an executor include making sure to account for all assets, to pay all existing debts and tax obligations, and to distribute the remaining assets to the correct beneficiaries according to your will.
Most people tend to choose family members or other close friends or relatives to act as executors. It is important that he be someone you can completely trust. If you don’t have a friend or a family member with the necessary ability, consider hiring a lawyer, accountant, or similar type of professional to act as your executor.
Different jurisdictions usually require different formalities for wills. Having a will drafted in your home country to cover all your assets in Thailand may cause trouble for your family. A last will and testament might be invalid in Thai courts if it does not comply with Thai law requirements. Therefore, it is advisable to draft your last will in Thai territory to make sure that Thai rules apply.
It is very important to observe the correct legal formalities when signing, amending, or revoking your will. Your last will and testament may not be legally valid if you fail to follow all the specific formalities.
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