Ensuring that your legacy goes to the people you love most
Succession and Inheritance in Thailand may differ from your home country. It is important to plan the settlement of your estate to ensure that the legacy goes to the people you love most. It is especially if the property is involved, it is so important to make a last will and testament.
Succession & Inheritance Law in Thailand
Protecting your legacy. Securing your family’s future.
Succession and inheritance in Thailand operate under a legal framework that often differs significantly from those in Europe, the UK, the US, or other jurisdictions. For foreign nationals, expatriates, and international families with assets in Thailand, proper estate planning is essential to ensure your assets are transferred smoothly, lawfully, and according to your wishes.
Whether your estate includes real estate in Phuket, business interests, bank accounts, or cross-border assets, a Thai-compliant will and succession strategy is the most effective way to protect your legacy and prevent future disputes.
At Ake & Associates, we advise high-value private clients and international families on succession, inheritance, and probate matters throughout Thailand, with particular expertise in Phuket-based estates involving foreign ownership structures.
Our Succession & Inheritance Legal Services
We provide comprehensive, end-to-end legal support, including:
- Estate planning and inheritance tax structuring
- Drafting Thai-compliant wills and last wills & testaments
- Court-ordered succession (Thai probate proceedings)
- Appointment and legal representation of estate administrators
- Estate administration and asset distribution
- Inheritance disputes and estate litigation (between heirs or involving third parties)
Our approach is practical, discreet, and designed to protect both family relationships and asset value.
Inheritance Rights Under Thai Law
Thai inheritance law applies specific rules regarding statutory heirs, asset classification, court procedures, and taxation. These rules may not align with inheritance laws in your home country.
For this reason, a will drafted abroad is often insufficient or difficult to enforce in Thailand. A locally drafted Thai will, prepared by an experienced succession lawyer, is typically more effective, faster to execute, and significantly reduces the risk of delays or legal challenges.
We advise foreign clients on:
- Who is legally entitled to inherit under Thai law
- How Thai law treats real estate, businesses, and jointly owned assets
- How inheritance tax may apply to high-value estates
- How to coordinate Thai estate planning with overseas wills
Probate & Succession Proceedings in Thailand (Thai Probate)
Unlike some jurisdictions where probate is handled administratively, succession in Thailand requires a court order. Both estates with or without a will must go through formal court proceedings, and legal representation is required.
Our lawyers assist clients by:
- Filing and managing succession petitions before Thai courts
- Advising who has legal standing to apply for succession orders
- Representing heirs, executors, and estate administrators
- Handling estate partition, asset transfer, and compliance requirements
Once appointed by the court, an estate administrator carries significant legal duties and liabilities. We provide ongoing legal guidance from appointment through to final distribution of the estate, ensuring compliance at every stage.
Why Ake & Associates
- Phuket-based with nationwide Thailand coverage
- Trusted advisers to foreign investors, expatriates, and international families
- Deep experience with Thai probate courts and cross-border estates
- Clear, strategic advice tailored to high-value and complex estates
Early planning prevents disputes. Proper execution protects your legacy.