Cost of usufruct

[Larkin]

Guys

 

I've been married to a Thai for 20 years, although for work reasons I have been working in the UK for the last 6-7 years while she remained in Thailand.  I will retire there in 2026-7.

 

We own three properties in Thailand.  One condo in Bkk in my name and two villages in Jomtien in her name.  The condo and one villa is rented; she lives in the other.

 

She proactively set up a will naming me sole beneficiary of the properties should she die first, so that's fine although it would be a pain in the arse to dispose of the properties within the year.   She also wants to set up a usufruct, so I could live in the villas until my death.  At that point, i would be more than happy to let her sister inherit the place.  In this regard, I'm almost thinking i prefer the idea of a usufruct to a the will, particularly where it comes to property assets.

 

Question:  what would it cost to set up a usufruct via a lawyer?  Roughly - anyone been through it?

 

And: I've had it suggested that it's relatively easy to do yourself.  Is that the case, and if so what's the process?

 

 

[hotandsticky]

7 minutes ago, Larkin said:

Guys

 

I've been married to a Thai for 20 years, although for work reasons I have been working in the UK for the last 6-7 years while she remained in Thailand.  I will retire there in 2026-7.

 

We own three properties in Thailand.  One condo in Bkk in my name and two villages in Jomtien in her name.  The condo and one villa is rented; she lives in the other.

 

She proactively set up a will naming me sole beneficiary of the properties should she die first, so that's fine although it would be a pain in the arse to dispose of the properties within the year.   She also wants to set up a usufruct, so I could live in the villas until my death.  At that point, i would be more than happy to let her sister inherit the place.  In this regard, I'm almost thinking i prefer the idea of a usufruct to a the will, particularly where it comes to property assets.

 

Question:  what would it cost to set up a usufruct via a lawyer?  Roughly - anyone been through it?

 

And: I've had it suggested that it's relatively easy to do yourself.  Is that the case, and if so what's the process?

 

 

 

 

Personally, I wouldn't do it myself. Some Land Offices are less than familiar with usufructs and some have refused to register them. 

 

Your location will dictate which lawyer you use but I used Isaan Lawyers; it was nearly 20 years ago so I have no idea of the cost.

[Larkin]

Thanks. I’ll be in Jomtien so it makes sense to do it there. 
 

 

[VocalNeal]

From memory about 70 Baht at local Land Office they put a note and a stamp in the Chanote. Our local office was not familiar with the western legal terminology but when my wife explained what she wanted to do they understood.

We did have to go back a week later to actually get it done. 

[connda]

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

Personally, I wouldn't do it myself. Some Land Offices are less than familiar with usufructs and some have refused to register them. 

Best to have a lawyer and be ready to pass the Land Office a brown envelop.  Speaking from experience. Once you have it is written on the Land deed and you have rights to the property as long as you're alive.