I need ideas as to who to go to OR where to ask for a VERY SIMPLE WILL. I was quoted $500 US

[rasalvaje]

VERY SIMPLE WILL. no property, no personal affects...only 2 bank accounts in one major bank and 1 account in a second bank.  I am over 80 and need reasonable directions to leave contents to a friend, same sex, who has helped me and I've known for about 15 years.  Need something simple and easy for him, when I pass.  Thanks for your help!

[gargamon]

16 minutes ago, rasalvaje said:

VERY SIMPLE WILL. no property, no personal affects...only 2 bank accounts in one major bank and 1 account in a second bank.  I am over 80 and need reasonable directions to leave contents to a friend, same sex, who has helped me and I've known for about 15 years.  Need something simple and easy for him, when I pass.  Thanks for your help!

If you trust him put it into joint accounts. Problem solved. Doesn't work for the 800k for immigration though.

[BritManToo]

28 minutes ago, rasalvaje said:

VERY SIMPLE WILL. no property, no personal affects...only 2 bank accounts in one major bank and 1 account in a second bank.  I am over 80 and need reasonable directions to leave contents to a friend, same sex, who has helped me and I've known for about 15 years.  Need something simple and easy for him, when I pass.  Thanks for your help!

Amphur office charges 20bht, and will keep the will on their record.

Fairly simple form to fill out, you might have to use google translate, or take an English speaking Thai along with you. An official Thai/English translator will do it for 1,000bht (ask at a police station for the contact details of their official translator)

[topt]

7 hours ago, rasalvaje said:

Need something simple and easy for him, when I pass. 

You don't say where in Thailand you are? In Pattaya for a will in Thai and English normal minimum 5k baht from many 'lawyer' offices. 

I am presuming these are Thai bank accounts?

[it is what it is]

 

here's another quote for you, 'they saw you coming'.

[DezLez]

32 minutes ago, topt said:

You don't say where in Thailand you are? In Pattaya for a will in Thai and English normal minimum 5k baht from many 'lawyer' offices. 

I am presuming these are Thai bank accounts?

In CM the same for a simple "retirement" bank account will.

[xylophone]

7 hours ago, rasalvaje said:

VERY SIMPLE WILL. no property, no personal affects...only 2 bank accounts in one major bank and 1 account in a second bank.  I am over 80 and need reasonable directions to leave contents to a friend, same sex, who has helped me and I've known for about 15 years.  Need something simple and easy for him, when I pass.  Thanks for your help!

I am sending you a Will form/format in both English and Thai.......simple to understand and to complete. Print it out and fill it in. I hope this helps. Xylo

[NoDisplayName]

Google DIY will.

Download and edit to your situation, translate to Thai.

Print off, get two witnesses to sign.

Technically that should be enough.

Your amphur might record it for you.

Ours (Korat) will not record a will with a foreigner.

 

 

[sometime]

Don't forget you need an Executor

We are in the process of getting a will done, we go in tomorrow this is what they need below

Copy of all the title deeds (Chanote) such as a house, condominium
2. Copy of all Bank account books (front page only), investments, pensions, etc.
3. Copy of all registration books of car and motorcycle
4. Please mention if you wish to give Jewellery, precious stones, gold, silver
5. Copy of ID card or passport of Testator
6. Copy of ID card or passport of your Beneficiary
7. Copy of ID card or passport of your Executor 

[DezLez]

7 minutes ago, sometime said:

Don't forget you need an Executor

We are in the process of getting a will done, we go in tomorrow this is what they need below

Copy of all the title deeds (Chanote) such as a house, condominium
2. Copy of all Bank account books (front page only), investments, pensions, etc.
3. Copy of all registration books of car and motorcycle
4. Please mention if you wish to give Jewellery, precious stones, gold, silver
5. Copy of ID card or passport of Testator
6. Copy of ID card or passport of your Beneficiary
7. Copy of ID card or passport of your Executor 

Did you read the OP?

The will is for the inheritance of a bank account, not property!!

The OP said; "VERY SIMPLE WILL. no property, no personal affects...only 2 bank accounts in one major bank"

[DezLez]

23 minutes ago, xylophone said:

I am sending you a Will form/format in both English and Thai.......simple to understand and to complete. Print it out and fill it in. I hope this helps. Xylo

Bad idea!

Spend 5,000Baht, or there abouts, to make sure it is lodged and legal etc.

[xylophone]

5 minutes ago, DezLez said:

Bad idea!

Spend 5,000Baht, or there abouts, to make sure it is lodged and legal etc.

Seen by my Lawyer here and she said it was fine as a simple Will. Anyway up to him what he does with, I was only trying to help!!

[DezLez]

22 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Seen by my Lawyer here and she said it was fine as a simple Will. Anyway up to him what he does with, I was only trying to help!!

Why would "your lawyer" use someone else's forms.  They have their own and will still charge to "do it properly".

Why skimp 5,000 baht for a 400,000/800,000 bank account.  get it done properly and then R.I.IP.

[xylophone]

54 minutes ago, DezLez said:

Why would "your lawyer" use someone else's forms.  They have their own and will still charge to "do it properly".

Why skimp 5,000 baht for a 400,000/800,000 bank account.  get it done properly and then R.I.IP.

My lawyer is someone I have known for 20 years and whom I consider a friend and although she did offer to produce a Will for me given her format, she also said that as a simple will this one would suffice.

Anyway the point is moot because I cannot download the form as AN does not allow word documents and I'm having great problems converting it because it is both in Thai and English language.

 

So the poster is out of luck as regards my offer of help, however as my lawyer has said, a simple Will, is exactly that and provided it is witnessed and signed, then all should be fine.

[xylophone]

3 hours ago, xylophone said:

 

Anyway the point is moot because I cannot download the form as AN does not allow word documents and I'm having great problems converting it because it is both in Thai and English language.

PS. Have managed to copy it and send it to the OP!!! 

 

[xylophone]

3 hours ago, xylophone said:

Anyway the point is moot because I cannot download the form as AN does not allow word documents and I'm having great problems converting it because it is both in Thai and English language.

Copy sent!!!!

[JimGant]

18 hours ago, DezLez said:

Spend 5,000Baht, or there abouts, to make sure it is lodged and legal etc

Doesn't have to be lodged with anyone, including the Amphur (that's an old wives tale). Just get a template and write you own Will. Typed is better; but in longhand (where witnesses aren't even needed -- but suggested) is acceptable. And, with witnesses, have their ID numbers affixed -- and suggest you video your and their signing of the Will -- and include this thumb drive with your Will. 

 

For bank accounts, you can have him become a co-signatory, meaning he can withdraw money, using your passbook -- as his name will appear on the passbook, albeit visible only under black light. Supposedly, his power of co-signature evaporates with your death. But, the bank won't know you're dead, so mechanically he can still withdraw (most) of the money. Ethically? He's your only beneficiary, per the Will you've just written. Plus, you've made him the Executor. Legally? I presume you have no outstanding debts, so the money is going to your one designated beneficiary, thus no aggrieved  parties -- except for the lawyer mafia, now out of their 50000 baht probate fee.

 

Have online banking? Set up your buddy's accounts to receive transfers from your accounts. When you croak, have him log on to your account and do the transfers. Ethics and legalese for this are the same as for going the co-signatory route -- only much more efficient. Just hope online banking is still available when you croak..... assuming this is a viable option.

 

Don't bother translating your Will into Thai. If all the above goes smoothly, you won't even need a Will. If the bank doesn't know you're dead (so don't die in their lobby), they're under no legal obligation to prevent the above co-signatory/online banking methods. Thus, years later, when your dormant accounts, having been emptied out of all but a few baht, are discovered to belong to a corpse -- bank won't examine your date of death with the date of last withdrawals. 

 

Anyway, do the above, and you and your beneficiary should have smooth sailing. Only in the unlikely event there's a snag -- will your beneficiary/executor then need to hire a lawyer for probate -- and to finally have that lawyer translate the Will into Thai.

 

[rasalvaje]

Omg...such great suggestions!  I really appreciate so many easily understood things you have all given me.  Thank you so much.  You've all made my life easier!  Thank you!!!

[Zapitapi]

you can write your own.. www.deepseek.com will assist..just write the prompts and ask for it to be valid in thailand

 

[Drumbuie]

Advice on Wills and Powers of Attorney is available, free, to all Thai residents ( not citizens - residents)  from the Office of the Attorney General. 

[Opus Law International]

Contact Opus Law International 

 

[email protected] 

[email protected] 

http://www.opus.co.th/

 

Help from English native speaking advisor and English speaking lawyers and Notaries

[Nabbiex]

On 6/26/2025 at 10:13 AM, BritManToo said:

Amphur office charges 20bht, and will keep the will on their record.

Fairly simple form to fill out, you might have to use google translate, or take an English speaking Thai along with you. An official Thai/English translator will do it for 1,000bht (ask at a police station for the contact details of their official translator)

Also, require two witnesses.

[kingstonkid]

On 6/26/2025 at 7:45 PM, xylophone said:

My lawyer is someone I have known for 20 years and whom I consider a friend and although she did offer to produce a Will for me given her format, she also said that as a simple will this one would suffice.

Anyway the point is moot because I cannot download the form as AN does not allow word documents and I'm having great problems converting it because it is both in Thai and English language.

 

So the poster is out of luck as regards my offer of help, however as my lawyer has said, a simple Will, is exactly that and provided it is witnessed and signed, then all should be fine.

Xylo 

 

The others, can you post your simple will here for those that don't have a lot and want to be prepared.  I can always take it to the amphur and get them to approve it, or at least when I go to the lawyer, I will have it ready and not be wasting time.

 

OP  , do you have a living will or POA in case god forbid you get sick?

[xylophone]

47 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

Xylo 

 

The others, can you post your simple will here for those that don't have a lot and want to be prepared.  I can always take it to the amphur and get them to approve it, or at least when I go to the lawyer, I will have it ready and not be wasting time.

 

OP  , do you have a living will or POA in case god forbid you get sick?

Good day Kingston Kid, as you may recall, I did have a problem converting it from word doc to another format and I'm not altogether sure that it was successful, however I still have the word document on my PC and I'll try AGAIN to convert it to another format although it would be a lot easier to send the word document – – on that point, I suppose if you sent me your email address via PM then I could send it to you via email, which would probably be a lot easier and I can assure you I have all of the safeguards in place, such as Malwarebytes and and Windows Defender so you should be safe and I will erase it after I've sent it.

What do you think about that?? If it's not acceptable, then I'll keep trying to convert it to another format!

On another point, it is about six pages long (in both English and Thai) so I'm not sure that the mods would accept that??

 

Please reply with your thoughts, by PM if you wish, and in the meantime I'll search for a better format. Xylo

[PETERTHEEATER]

On 6/26/2025 at 4:13 AM, BritManToo said:

Amphur office charges 20bht, and will keep the will on their record.

Fairly simple form to fill out, you might have to use google translate, or take an English speaking Thai along with you. An official Thai/English translator will do it for 1,000bht (ask at a police station for the contact details of their official translator)

Yes, but Wills are handled by the Legal Dept of the Amphoe and often are located in a different area. There will, usually, be English speakers among the staff. Check the location of your Amphoe Legal Dept first to avoid time wasting.

[xylophone]

21 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Delete as duplicate!

 

 

 

[xylophone]

2 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Xylo 

 

The others, can you post your simple will here for those that don't have a lot and want to be prepared.  I can always take it to the amphur and get them to approve it, or at least when I go to the lawyer, I will have it ready and not be wasting time.

 

OP  , do you have a living will or POA in case god forbid you get sick?

I have managed to copy the individual pages in the GIF format and have sent them via your PM. All the best,

[JustinTyme]

On 6/26/2025 at 9:52 AM, rasalvaje said:

VERY SIMPLE WILL. no property, no personal affects...only 2 bank accounts in one major bank and 1 account in a second bank.  I am over 80 and need reasonable directions to leave contents to a friend, same sex, who has helped me and I've known for about 15 years.  Need something simple and easy for him, when I pass.  Thanks for your help!

If you send me a (Direct message) personal message on this site with an e mail address, I will send you a perfectly legal, Thai and English version.  Also, the really simple method is to give your friend your computer online (not smartphone) banking access so they can immediately make transfers and essentially just skip the entire probate mess. 

If you are not tech savvy, I can teach you how to set up the account online, and get your friend set up in the "favorite transfer" portion. Obviously, I can only tell you the correct method, no need to actually see your information ... 

[Wrwest]

On 6/26/2025 at 9:52 AM, rasalvaje said:

VERY SIMPLE WILL. no property, no personal affects...only 2 bank accounts in one major bank and 1 account in a second bank.  I am over 80 and need reasonable directions to leave contents to a friend, same sex, who has helped me and I've known for about 15 years.  Need something simple and easy for him, when I pass.  Thanks for your help!

I am in Chiang Mai. Both myself and my Aussie friend had Wills drawn up (both English and Thai translation included) addressing only Thailand holdings (cost 7000 baht). Please understand that there is more to it than just the Will document. An Executor of the Will needs to get permission from the person's Embassy to take control of the body and carry out the needed service for the remains. They may need to contact the next of kin in the home country. Then the Executor needs to go to Provincial Court to be officially appointed Executor. Only after the Court document is in hand will the bank be allowed to access the funds legally. My friend passed in December last and all would be wrapped up but he owned his Condo so I am now dealing with getting it ready for sale. No complications just dealing with the legal needs so keep this in mind.

[DezLez]

14 minutes ago, Wrwest said:

I am in Chiang Mai. Both myself and my Aussie friend had Wills drawn up (both English and Thai translation included) addressing only Thailand holdings (cost 7000 baht). Please understand that there is more to it than just the Will document. An Executor of the Will needs to get permission from the person's Embassy to take control of the body and carry out the needed service for the remains. They may need to contact the next of kin in the home country. Then the Executor needs to go to Provincial Court to be officially appointed Executor. Only after the Court document is in hand will the bank be allowed to access the funds legally. My friend passed in December last and all would be wrapped up but he owned his Condo so I am now dealing with getting it ready for sale. No complications just dealing with the legal needs so keep this in mind.

Totally and utterly agree!

Use a lawyer!

Why scrimp and save and introduce possible future legal problems especially when talking about leaving a lump some to a beneficiary that you dearly love.