Making a will in Thailand,video or document?

[sanook 1]

Can a video with sound (with all the info from the dececeased who gets what) be a substitute for a written will in thailand? 

 

 

 

[JBChiangRai]

I would be surprised because it's too easy to fake it with AI tools.

[KannikaP]

13 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I would be surprised because it's too easy to fake it with AI tools.

As it is to fake a signature. Do lawyers, executors etc use a cryptologist to examine Wills? No.

[JBChiangRai]

3 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

As it is to fake a signature. Do lawyers, executors etc use a cryptologist to examine Wills? No.

 

Written wills have witnesses.

[CharlieH]

To support proper documentation, but not as a "stand alone"  (AFAIK)

[JBChiangRai]

Here is what AI says...

 

Yes, video wills are acceptable in Thailand, but they must meet certain legal requirements to be considered valid. Here are the key points:

1. Testator's Presence: The person making the will (testator) must be present in the video.

2. Witnesses: There must be at least two witnesses present during the recording of the video will. These witnesses must also sign the will.

3. Clear Intent: The testator must clearly state their intent to make the video will and outline their wishes regarding the distribution of their assets.

4. Legal Compliance: The video will must comply with Thai law, which includes being made voluntarily and without any undue influence.

It's always a good idea to consult with a legal professional to ensure that your video will meets all the necessary legal requirements in Thailand. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

Written wills have witnesses.

Which can easily be faked. Are those witnesses contacted when Probate is being sorted out, in UK or Thailand.

[JBChiangRai]

4 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Which can easily be faked. Are those witnesses contacted when Probate is being sorted out, in UK or Thailand.

 

They are if the will is challenged.

 

Video Wills have to have witnesses too.

[scubascuba3]

My lawyer friend says she does written and video if customer wants, less likely to be contested 

[Bundooman]

19 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

Written wills have witnesses.

But surely, they can be faked too, can't they?

Scary thought though.

[JBChiangRai]

I think a video will with the witnesses in frame backed up with a written will visible in the video is an excellent idea.

[NE1]

I did a will at my Amphur office recently .

First thing I had to do was  visit the main district hospital to obtain a signature from a Doctor stating that I was okay.

I cannot say anymore than " okay " because the Doctor didn't know what was required.

So it was Blood pressure , Height , Weight and Stethoscope  that was about it.

Return to Amphur office , with my Benefactor and Two witnesses from our village who all had to show House books and Thai I.D.s. with signed copies .

I had to do the same with my Passport and Yellow book  and any Bank books that I wanted including in the will , with signed copies .

After the Doc. was prepared , it was put in an envelope , and sealed with scotch tape , then myself and the witnesses had to sign across the Scotch tape .

 

 

 

[CMBob]

Regardless of what AI might conjure up or what people think ought to be the law, perhaps it might be wise to look at the actual law in Thailand regarding Wills.  The Thai Commercial Code starting with Section 1646 deals with Wills and the form a Will must take is expressly dealt with with in Sections 1655 through 1672.  While having a video taken may very well be helpful in the event of a Will contest (claiming fraud, mental incapacity, or undue influence), the Thai law clearly requires a Will to be in writing and signed by the testator to be a legal Will.

 

[crazykopite]

20 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

My lawyer friend says she does written and video if customer wants, less likely to be contested 

What does she charge as all the quotes  I’ve had are more than making a UK will the last quote was 30,000 baht 

[sanook 1]

1 hour ago, NE1 said:

I did a will at my Amphur office recently .

First thing I had to do was  visit the main district hospital to obtain a signature from a Doctor stating that I was okay.

I cannot say anymore than " okay " because the Doctor didn't know what was required.

So it was Blood pressure , Height , Weight and Stethoscope  that was about it.

Return to Amphur office , with my Benefactor and Two witnesses from our village who all had to show House books and Thai I.D.s. with signed copies .

I had to do the same with my Passport and Yellow book  and any Bank books that I wanted including in the will , with signed copies .

After the Doc. was prepared , it was put in an envelope , and sealed with scotch tape , then myself and the witnesses had to sign across the Scotch tape .

 

 

 

This is my idea also,do you remember the cost doing it at the amphur? And is the will kept in the amphur office or you could bring it with you?

[NE1]

19 minutes ago, sanook 1 said:

This is my idea also,do you remember the cost doing it at the amphur? And is the will kept in the amphur office or you could bring it with you?

 

I had the option of taking the sealed will home or leaving the sealed will at the Amphur and taking an unsealed copy home.

I don't know what the cost was , I will let you know when the wifey gets home.

[hotandsticky]

18 minutes ago, NE1 said:

 

I had the option of taking the sealed will home or leaving the sealed will at the Amphur and taking an unsealed copy home.

I don't know what the cost was , I will let you know when the wifey gets home.

 

 

The Will was presumably written in Thai ?

[NE1]

11 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

The Will was presumably written in Thai ?

 

Yes it was . My Mrs and the witnesses read it before it was signed off.

[scubascuba3]

2 hours ago, crazykopite said:

What does she charge as all the quotes  I’ve had are more than making a UK will the last quote was 30,000 baht 

Last time we discussed a thai will was 5k-10k, they charge what they think you may pay

[NE1]

3 hours ago, sanook 1 said:

This is my idea also,do you remember the cost doing it at the amphur?

The Amphur will is free of charge , I just had to pay a 100  baht for the Doctors note.

 

A warning to people doing their will through a lawyer.

I read a while ago that a lawyers small print on an individuals will stated " On execution of the will . the lawyer's name/firm would be paid X % of the money left " or words to that effect . Somebody ended up having to pay the lawyer another 80,000 baht .

[hotandsticky]

3 hours ago, NE1 said:

 

Yes it was . My Mrs and the witnesses read it before it was signed off.

 

 

So you couldn't actually read what you were signing?

 

 

I have heard that is an issue with amphur Wills.

[NE1]

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

I have heard that is an issue with amphur Wills.

 

 

I suppose you could take a copy and get it translated and if you didn't like what you read , go take it up with the Amphur office and make a new one , after all they are free.

[FritsSikkink]

On 12/17/2024 at 9:47 AM, sanook 1 said:

Can a video with sound (with all the info from the dececeased who gets what) be a substitute for a written will in thailand? 

 

 

 

No

[FritsSikkink]

On 12/17/2024 at 10:09 AM, JBChiangRai said:

Here is what AI says...

 

Yes, video wills are acceptable in Thailand, but they must meet certain legal requirements to be considered valid. Here are the key points:

1. Testator's Presence: The person making the will (testator) must be present in the video.

2. Witnesses: There must be at least two witnesses present during the recording of the video will. These witnesses must also sign the will.

3. Clear Intent: The testator must clearly state their intent to make the video will and outline their wishes regarding the distribution of their assets.

4. Legal Compliance: The video will must comply with Thai law, which includes being made voluntarily and without any undue influence.

It's always a good idea to consult with a legal professional to ensure that your video will meets all the necessary legal requirements in Thailand. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

"There must be at least two witnesses present during the recording of the video will. These witnesses must also sign the will." How do they sign the video?

[CMBob]

2 hours ago, NE1 said:

......A warning to people doing their will through a lawyer.

I read a while ago that a lawyers small print on an individuals will stated " On execution of the will . the lawyer's name/firm would be paid X % of the money left " or words to that effect . Somebody ended up having to pay the lawyer another 80,000 baht .

Not sure where you read that but it isn't true.  People do read their Wills before signing and somebody would have to be pretty dense to gloss over language like that.

[hotandsticky]

2 hours ago, NE1 said:

 

 

I suppose you could take a copy and get it translated and if you didn't like what you read , go take it up with the Amphur office and make a new one , after all they are free.

 

 

I just question why someone would sign a document (that disperses their assets) without knowing what it said.

 

(that is not intended as a criticism of you, just an observation).

[NE1]

22 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I just question why someone would sign a document (that disperses their assets) without knowing what it said.

 

(that is not intended as a criticism of you, just an observation).

 

I can understand your concern .

But as I was leaving my only asset ( bank account ) to my wife of 28 years I figured her reading it and telling me what it said would be okay by me.

 

[hotandsticky]

16 minutes ago, NE1 said:

 

I can understand your concern .

But as I was leaving my only asset ( bank account ) to my wife of 28 years I figured her reading it and telling me what it said would be okay by me.

 

 

 

A very good example of where it really doesn't matter 🙂

 

Hopefully, you will make plans (in the due course of time) so your wife can access those funds without having to go to court.