Steady Counsel for Inheritance & Estate Matters

In Thailand, probate is a court-supervised process that formally recognizes the estate of a deceased person and appoints an administrator to oversee the distribution of assets. Where a valid will exists, it is presented to the court for authentication. Where there is no will, the court appoints an administrator in accordance with the Civil and Commercial Code's intestate succession rules. The timeline depends on the complexity of the estate and whether any claims arise.

A will prepared abroad may be recognized in Thailand, but it typically requires certified translation into Thai and legalization through the appropriate consular or Ministry of Foreign Affairs process. The court will then assess the document's validity under Thai conflict-of-law rules. We handle translation coordination and the legalization steps as part of our Will Authentication and Probate service.

The duration depends largely on the estate's composition and whether any questions are contested. An estate involving straightforward assets and an uncontested will might reach conclusion within four to eight months. More complex estates — those involving land in multiple provinces, overseas accounts, or disputed claims — can take longer. We discuss realistic timelines during the initial consultation and keep families informed at each stage.

The inventory review covers all categories of property that may form part of a Thai estate — land and buildings, bank deposits, vehicles registered with the Department of Land Transport, shares in Thai companies, and significant personal effects. We prepare a written register organized by asset category, note the legal status of each item (including any encumbrances or co-ownership), and provide a brief explanation suitable for both family reference and subsequent court use.

Our three services are offered at fixed fees for the scope described — ฿1,800 for the Estate Inventory Review, ฿4,200 for Will Authentication and Probate, and ฿10,800 for the Complete Estate Mandate. Where additional work falls outside the original scope — for example, representation in contested proceedings — we discuss that separately before proceeding. There are no hidden charges.

Yes. All information shared with Damrong Law is held in strict confidence in accordance with professional legal ethics and Thai personal data protection requirements. Documents are stored securely and not disclosed to any third party without your explicit consent, except as required by court processes you have authorized us to conduct.