Last updated on April 12, 2026

Family Law in Thailand

Q: Can a foreigner get divorced in Thailand?

Yes, if one spouse is domiciled in Thailand or both are Thai residents. The Family Court has jurisdiction. For uncontested divorce, both parties must register at the Amphur. For contested divorce, one of 12 grounds under CCC Section 1516 must be established.

Q: How much does a divorce cost in Thailand?

Uncontested divorce from 9,900 THB — includes agreement drafting, property and child arrangements, Amphur registration. Contested divorce from 50,000 THB — includes filing, evidence preparation, court representation. Timeline: 3-12 months.

Q: Are prenuptial agreements enforceable in Thailand?

Yes, if they comply with CCC Sections 1465-1466: must be in writing, signed before marriage registration, registered with the marriage, two witnesses, and not contrary to public order or morals. Post-nuptial agreements are harder to enforce.

Q: How is property divided in a Thai divorce?

Marital property (Sin Somros, CCC Section 1474) is divided equally between spouses. Personal property (Sin Suan Tua, Sections 1471-1473) remains with its owner. Personal property includes assets acquired before marriage, gifts, and inheritances. A prenuptial agreement can modify the division.

Q: Can a foreign father get custody in Thailand?

Yes, but an unmarried father must first legitimize the child (CCC Section 1547). After legitimation, he can petition the court for custody. The court considers the best interests of the child. Nationality is not a determining factor, but financial stability and environment are important.

Q: What happens if someone dies without a will?

Estate is distributed to statutory heirs under CCC Section 1629: 1) descendants, 2) parents, 3) full siblings, 4) half siblings, 5) grandparents, 6) uncles and aunts. The surviving spouse receives a share under Section 1635, varying by class of heir.

Q: What are the grounds for contested divorce?

CCC Section 1516 lists 12 grounds: adultery, misconduct, physical or mental harm, desertion over 1 year, declared missing, failure to maintain, insanity over 3 years, breach of behavior agreement, dangerous communicable disease, and separation over 3 years.

Q: How long does marriage registration take for foreigners?

Typically 2-4 weeks. Steps: obtain affirmation of freedom to marry from embassy (1-5 days), translation and legalization at MFA (2-3 days), registration at the Amphur (1 day). Some embassies require an appointment 1-2 weeks in advance.

Comprehensive family law services for foreigners and Thai nationals. Our licensed attorneys handle divorce, child custody, prenuptial agreements, marriage registration, adoption, wills and estate planning — with transparent flat fees and over 30 years of combined experience.

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Family Law Practice Areas

Thai family law is governed by the Civil and Commercial Code (Book V). Each area has specific requirements for foreigners.

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Marriage & Registration

Legal marriage registration at the Amphur for foreigners. Buddhist ceremonies, name changes, affidavit requirements, and embassy documentation.

From ฿14,900 Full details

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Divorce & Separation

Uncontested (mutual consent at Amphur) and contested divorce (Family Court). Property division under CCC Sections 1533-1535. Grounds under Section 1516.

From ฿9,900 Full details

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Child Custody & Parenting

Custody determinations under CCC Sections 1520-1532. Parental power, child support, visitation rights, and international custody disputes.

From ฿50,000 Full details

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Prenuptial & Postnuptial

Enforceable prenuptial agreements under CCC Section 1465-1466. Must be made before marriage registration. Postnuptial agreements also available.

From ฿8,900 Full details

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Adoption & Surrogacy

Domestic and international adoption under the Adoption Act B.E. 2522. Surrogacy regulated by Protection of Children Born Through ART Act B.E. 2558.

From ฿50,000 Full details

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Wills & Estate Planning

Last will and testament under CCC Sections 1646-1685. Living directives, probate, estate administration, and cross-border inheritance.

From ฿3,900 Full details

Family Law Services & Pricing

Transparent flat fees. No hidden charges. All services by licensed Thai attorneys.

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Legal Consultation — From ฿2,000/hour

In-depth assessment of your family law matter. Rights analysis, applicable Thai law, strategy options and timeline.

Full details

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Marriage Registration — From ฿14,900

Complete Amphur registration for foreigners. Affidavit, embassy legalization, translation, and registration day assistance.

Full details

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Prenuptial Agreement — From ฿8,900

Drafting and registration of enforceable prenuptial agreements under CCC Sections 1465-1466. Bilingual EN/TH.

Full details

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Uncontested Divorce — From ฿9,900

Mutual consent divorce at the Amphur. Agreement drafting, property settlement, child custody arrangement, and registration.

Full details

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Contested Divorce — From ฿50,000

Family Court litigation. Filing, evidence preparation, court representation, property division, and custody arguments.

Full details

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Child Custody — From ฿50,000

Court petition for custody, parental power, child support calculation, and visitation rights under CCC Book V.

Full details

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Will Preparation — From ฿3,900

Drafting a legally valid Thai will (CCC Sections 1646-1685). Bilingual, witnessed, covering all Thai and foreign assets.

Full details

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Probate & Estate — From ฿35,000

Court-appointed estate administrator, asset inventory, debt settlement, inheritance distribution, and cross-border matters.

Full details

Why Choose ThaiLawOnline?

Feature	ThaiLawOnline	Big Law Firms	DIY / Online
Published Pricing	✅ Flat fees from ฿1,900	❌ Hourly billing	✅ Low cost
Licensed Thai Lawyers	✅ LL.B., LL.M., Barrister	✅ Senior attorneys	❌ No legal review
Court Representation	✅ Full litigation support	✅ Full support	❌ Not available
Bilingual Documents	✅ EN / TH bilingual	✅ EN / TH	❌ Thai only
Trilingual Service	✅ EN / FR / TH	⚠️ EN / TH only	❌ TH only
Nationwide Coverage	✅ BKK, CNX, HKT, UBN+	⚠️ BKK-focused	❌ Online only

Our 5-Step Family Law Process

Consultation

Assess your situation, rights, and legal options under Thai law.

Strategy

Develop a tailored approach — negotiation, mediation, or litigation.

Documentation

Draft agreements, petitions, or court filings as required.

Resolution

Amphur registration, court hearing, or mediated settlement.

Follow-Up

Enforcement, compliance monitoring, and ongoing support.

Family Law Guides & Resources

Marriage

Divorce

Children

Estate Planning

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers from our licensed Thai attorneys, with references to applicable Thai law.

Can a foreigner get divorced in Thailand? +

Yes, if one spouse is domiciled in Thailand. Uncontested: register at the Amphur. Contested: prove one of 12 grounds under Section 1516.

How much does a divorce cost in Thailand? +

Uncontested: from ฿9,900 (agreement, registration). Contested: from ฿50,000+ (filing, evidence, representation). Timeline: 3–12 months.

Are prenuptial agreements enforceable in Thailand? +

Yes, under CCC Sections 1465-1466. Requirements: written, signed before registration, registered with marriage, 2 witnesses, not against public order. Guide: Prenuptial Agreements.

How is property divided in a Thai divorce? +

Sin Somros (marital, S.1474): divided equally. Sin Suan Tua (personal, S.1471-1473): stays with owner (pre-marriage assets, gifts, inheritances). Prenuptial can modify. Guide: Property Division.

Can a foreign father get custody in Thailand? +

Yes, but unmarried fathers must first legitimize the child (S.1547). Court evaluates best interests of the child. Nationality is not determinative.

What happens if someone dies without a will? +

Distributed to statutory heirs (S.1629): descendants, parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles/aunts. Surviving spouse gets a share under S.1635. Guide: Intestate Succession.

What are the grounds for contested divorce? +

Section 1516 lists 12 grounds: adultery, misconduct, harm, desertion 1yr+, missing, non-support, insanity 3yr+, breach of agreement, communicable disease, separation 3yr+.

How long does marriage registration take for foreigners? +

Typically 2–4 weeks: embassy affirmation (1–5 days), MFA legalization (2–3 days), Amphur registration (1 day). Guide: Marriage Registration.

Why Clients Trust ThaiLawOnline

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Expertise

Licensed Thai attorneys (LL.B., LL.M., Barrister) with deep knowledge of the Civil & Commercial Code Book V — Family, and Book VI — Succession.

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Experience

30+ years combined experience. Hundreds of family law cases — divorce, custody, prenuptials, and estate matters across Thailand.

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Authority

Thai law citations, Supreme Court references, annotated legal code database. Published guides cited by expat communities.

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Trustworthiness

Transparent flat fees published online. Named team with verified credentials. EN, FR & TH service.

Need Help With a Family Law Matter?

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Offices: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Ubon Ratchathani & Singapore — EN / FR / TH

Family Law in Thailand

Family Law Practice Areas

Marriage & Registration

Divorce & Separation

Child Custody & Parenting

Prenuptial & Postnuptial

Adoption & Surrogacy

Wills & Estate Planning

Family Law Services & Pricing

Legal Consultation — From ฿2,000/hour

Marriage Registration — From ฿14,900

Prenuptial Agreement — From ฿8,900

Uncontested Divorce — From ฿9,900

Contested Divorce — From ฿50,000

Child Custody — From ฿50,000

Will Preparation — From ฿3,900

Probate & Estate — From ฿35,000

Why Choose ThaiLawOnline?

Our 5-Step Family Law Process

Consultation

Strategy

Documentation

Resolution

Follow-Up

Family Law Guides & Resources

Marriage

Divorce

Children

Estate Planning

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Clients Trust ThaiLawOnline

Expertise

Experience

Authority

Trustworthiness

Need Help With a Family Law Matter?

ThaiLawOnline

Practice Areas

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