{"id":1692,"date":"2025-12-14T05:49:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T22:49:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/if-you-die-without-a-will-in-thailand\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:19:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T17:19:24","slug":"if-you-die-without-a-will-in-thailand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/if-you-die-without-a-will-in-thailand\/","title":{"rendered":"Que deviennent vos biens si vous d\u00e9c\u00e9dez sans testament en Tha\u00eflande ?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Many expatriates living in Thailand believe their spouse or children receive everything automatically after death. Thai law does not work this way. If you die without a Will in Thailand, Thai intestate succession rules apply. A Thai court decides who inherits, in what proportion, and when. The process often takes months and regularly creates delays, costs, and family disputes.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"tlo-hublink wp-block-paragraph\">The intestacy order described here is set out in full in our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/thailand-inheritance-guide-for-foreigners\/\">inheritance law in Thailand<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>This article explains what will happen to your Thai assets if you die without a Will in Thailand. This is based on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/thai-civil-code\/\">Thai Civil and Commercial Code.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#does-thai-law-apply-if-you-are-a-foreigner\">Does Thai law apply if you are a foreigner<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#thai-intestate-succession-rules-explained\">Thai intestate succession rules explained<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#the-six-classes-of-heirs\">The six classes of heirs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-about-the-legal-spouse\">What about the legal spouse<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#if-you-die-without-a-will-in-thailand\">If You Die Without a Will in Thailand<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-assets-are-divided-without-a-will\">How assets are divided without a will<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#married-with-children\">Married with children<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#married-without-children-but-parents-alive\">Married without children but parents alive<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#married-without-children-and-parents-deceased\">Married without children and parents deceased<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#not-legally-married\">Not legally married<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-happens-to-specific-thai-assets\">What happens to specific Thai assets<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#condominiums\">Condominiums<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#bank-accounts\">Bank accounts<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#usufruct-and-lease-rights\">Usufruct and lease rights<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#company-shares\">Company shares<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#court-process-without-a-will\">Court process without a will<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#common-mistakes-foreigners-make\">Common mistakes foreigners make<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#why-a-thai-will-solves-these-problems\">Why a Thai will solves these problems<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#why-this-matters-in-2025\">Why this matters in 2025<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#key-takeaway\">Key takeaway<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"does-thai-law-apply-if-you-are-a-foreigner\">Does Thai law apply if you are a foreigner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. Thai law applies to all assets located in Thailand, regardless of nationality. If you own a condo, bank account, car, company shares, or registered rights in Thailand, Thai succession law applies to those assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A foreign will does not automatically override Thai law. Without a Thai will that works in Thailand, heirs must go through Thai court proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"thai-intestate-succession-rules-explained\">Thai intestate succession rules explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Thai intestate succession is governed mainly by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/thai-civil-code\/section-1629\/\">Section 1629<\/a> of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thai law divides heirs into six classes. Only the closest surviving class inherits. Lower classes receive nothing if a higher class exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-six-classes-of-heirs\">The six classes of heirs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First class. Descendants. Children and grandchildren.<br>Second class. Parents.<br>Third class. Full blood brothers and sisters.<br>Fourth class. Half blood brothers and sisters.<br>Fifth class. Grandparents.<br>Sixth class. Uncles and aunts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-about-the-legal-spouse\">What about the legal spouse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A legal spouse always inherits. The spouse shares inheritance with the surviving class of heirs. This is where many foreigners misunderstand Thai law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"if-you-die-without-a-will-in-thailand\">If You Die Without a Will in Thailand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-assets-are-divided-without-a-will\">How assets are divided without a will<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"married-with-children\">Married with children<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you die married and have children, the spouse receives the same share as one child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Example: Two children and one spouse. The estate is divided into three equal parts. The spouse receives one third. Each child receives one third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"married-without-children-but-parents-alive\">Married without children but parents alive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The spouse takes one half of the estate. The parents share the other half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Example: one spouse and two parents. The spouse receives one half. Each parent receives one quarter. This is set by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/thai-civil-code\/section-1635\/\">Section 1635<\/a>(2) of the Civil and Commercial Code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"married-without-children-and-parents-deceased\">Married without children and parents deceased<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The spouse inherits everything.<br>This is one of the few situations where the spouse receives all assets without a will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"not-legally-married\">Not legally married<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A partner without legal marriage registration has no inheritance rights under Thai law.<br>No matter how long you lived together, the partner receives nothing unless named in a will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-happens-to-specific-thai-assets\">What happens to specific Thai assets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"condominiums\">Condominiums<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Condominium ownership does not transfer automatically. A Thai court must first appoint an estate administrator. Until then, the unit is frozen. Sale, transfer, or rental is blocked. Delays are common, especially when heirs live abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bank-accounts\">Bank accounts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Thai banks freeze accounts as soon as they receive notice of death. Funds remain inaccessible until a court order appoints an administrator. This often creates financial pressure for surviving spouses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"usufruct-and-lease-rights\">Usufruct and lease rights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Registered usufruct rights usually end upon death unless the document clearly states otherwise. Lease rights only pass to heirs if the contract allows it. Without a will, these rights often disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"company-shares\">Company shares<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Company shares do not transfer automatically. Directors cannot update the share register without a court order. This creates serious operational risk for family businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"court-process-without-a-will\">Court process without a will<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Without a will, heirs must file a petition for estate administration with the Thai court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typical steps include identifying heirs, submitting documents and translations, attending hearings, obtaining a court appointment, collecting assets, and distributing the estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This process often takes six to twelve months. Disputes can extend it much longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"common-mistakes-foreigners-make\">Common mistakes foreigners make<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Believing a foreign will is enough<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assuming the spouse inherits everything<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ignoring Thai language and court requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leaving minor children without proper planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Failing to appoint an executor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These mistakes are avoidable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-a-thai-will-solves-these-problems\">Why a Thai will solves these problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A Thai will lets you choose who gets your assets. It protects your spouse or partner. You can also appoint an executor. This type of will reduces court involvement. It speeds up the transfer of assets and helps control costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A properly drafted Thai will aligns with Thai law and court practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-this-matters-in-2025\">Why this matters in 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Thai courts continue to tighten document and translation requirements. Banks and land offices demand clearer probate orders. Estates without proper planning face longer delays and higher costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Preparing a Thai will now avoids these problems later and it can be done at low cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaway\">Key takeaway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you die in Thailand without a will, the court decides who inherits your assets. Not you. Not your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Thai will is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your assets and the people you care about in Thailand. ThaiLawOnline offers customized Wills done by registered Thai attorneys for only 3,900. Contact us by writing to info@thailawonline.com. For a more extensive text about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/last-will-in-thailand\/\">Last Will in Thailand, click here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawyerscouncil.or.th\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lawyer&#8217;s Council of Thailand<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>What happens if you die without a will in Thailand?<\/h3><p>Your estate is distributed under Thai intestacy rules to statutory heirs in a fixed order of priority set by the Civil and Commercial Code.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Who inherits if there is no will in Thailand?<\/h3><p>Thai law recognises six classes of statutory heirs, such as descendants, parents and siblings, together with the surviving spouse, who shares with them.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>How is a surviving spouse treated under Thai intestacy?<\/h3><p>The surviving spouse is a statutory heir and shares the estate with the other classes of heirs in the proportions set by law.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Can a foreigner&#8217;s assets in Thailand pass without a will?<\/h3><p>Yes, but it can be slower and more complex. A Thai will covering Thai-based assets is strongly recommended to simplify probate.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Is probate required if there is no will in Thailand?<\/h3><p>Yes. A court usually has to appoint an estate administrator before assets such as bank accounts and property can be transferred to the heirs.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"tlo-uplink\" style=\"border-left:5px solid #1a7f4b;background:#f4faf6;padding:18px 20px;margin:28px 0;border-radius:6px;\">\n<p style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>You can avoid all of this.<\/strong> Nothing on this page applies if you leave a valid Thai will. A bilingual, lawyer-drafted will is a fixed 3,900 THB: see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/last-will-in-thailand\/\">how to make a will in Thailand<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"free-tools\">Try it yourself first, free<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You do not have to book anything to get started. These run in your browser, and you only pay us if you decide you want a lawyer involved.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"tlo-trust-tools\">\n                            <div class=\"tlo-trust-tool\">\n                    <p class=\"tlo-trust-tool__title\">\n                        G\u00e9n\u00e9rateur de documents juridiques                        <span class=\"tlo-trust-tool__tier tlo-trust-tool__tier--gold\">\n                            Membres Gold                        <\/span>\n                    <\/p>\n                    <p class=\"tlo-trust-tool__blurb\">Dix documents bilingues \u00e0 partir d&#039;un questionnaire guid\u00e9, dans la r\u00e9daction propre au cabinet.<\/p>\n                                            <a class=\"tlo-trust-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/legal-document-maker\/\" data-tlo-event=\"tool_click\" data-tool=\"document-maker\">\n                            Ouvrir l&#039;outil                        <\/a>\n                                    <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"tlo-trust-tool\">\n                    <p class=\"tlo-trust-tool__title\">\n                        Interroger notre assistant IA                        <span class=\"tlo-trust-tool__tier tlo-trust-tool__tier--free\">\n                            Gratuit                        <\/span>\n                    <\/p>\n                    <p class=\"tlo-trust-tool__blurb\">Entra\u00een\u00e9 sur le droit tha\u00eflandais et plus de 84 000 arr\u00eats de la Cour supr\u00eame. Posez vos questions, gratuitement.<\/p>\n                                            <button type=\"button\" class=\"tlo-trust-btn tlo-trust-tool__chat\"\n                                data-tlo-event=\"assistant_open\">\n                            Poser une question                        <\/button>\n                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/if-you-die-without-a-will-in-thailand\/#faq\",\n    \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What happens if you die without a will in Thailand?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Your estate is distributed under Thai intestacy rules to statutory heirs in a fixed order of priority set by the Civil and Commercial Code.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Who inherits if there is no will in Thailand?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Thai law recognises six classes of statutory heirs, such as descendants, parents and siblings, together with the surviving spouse, who shares with them.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"How is a surviving spouse treated under Thai intestacy?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"The surviving spouse is a statutory heir and shares the estate with the other classes of heirs in the proportions set by law.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Can a foreigner's assets in Thailand pass without a will?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Yes, but it can be slower and more complex. 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A Thai court decides who inherits, in what proportion, and when. The process often takes months and regularly creates delays, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-law","pmpro-has-access"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1692"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1692\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4373,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1692\/revisions\/4373"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}