Just went to local law firm and was quoted 50,000 baht for a bi-lingual will - which I thought was a bit steep!!

Only really have my 800,000 in the bank for my retirement visa (and I suppose my motorbike) of any value in my own name.

Appreciate any suggestions on best way to make sure it can be accessed in case of my demise. 🍻

2 hours ago, MarkT63 said:

Just went to local law firm and was quoted 50,000 baht for a bi-lingual will - which I thought was a bit steep!!

Only really have my 800,000 in the bank for my retirement visa (and I suppose my motorbike) of any value in my own name.

Appreciate any suggestions on best way to make sure it can be accessed in case of my demise. 🍻

Don't bother with lawyer, as wife can access your bank by showing your death certificate and marriage certificate. Probably the same with transferring the motorbike, or you can do that now while still sucking air.

If you really want to file a will, just download a fill in the blanks will, and register it at Amphur office. I've done a couple. Easy & inexpensive.

35 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Don't bother with lawyer, as wife can access your bank by showing your death certificate and marriage certificate. Probably the same with transferring the motorbike, or you can do that now while still sucking air.

If you really want to file a will, just download a fill in the blanks will, and register it at Amphur office. I've done a couple. Easy & inexpensive.

Without a probate you will not be able to withdraw money!

That would be illegal.

3 hours ago, MarkT63 said:

Just went to local law firm and was quoted 50,000 baht for a bi-lingual will - which I thought was a bit steep!!

Only really have my 800,000 in the bank for my retirement visa (and I suppose my motorbike) of any value in my own name.

Appreciate any suggestions on best way to make sure it can be accessed in case of my demise. 🍻

You can write a will on a piece of paper in your own language and have it placed at your local Amphur,cost around 50 baht.

The real problem usually is,when you die your account gets blocked until the courts release it according to the will.

Make sure you have some cash around to pay for things(cremation) and for every day things because probate can take up to 6 months.

42 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Don't bother with lawyer, as wife can access your bank by showing your death certificate and marriage certificate. Probably the same with transferring the motorbike, or you can do that now while still sucking air.

If you really want to file a will, just download a fill in the blanks will, and register it at Amphur office. I've done a couple. Easy & inexpensive.

that would be theft.

7,000 baht at Magna Carta law firm in Pattaya. Very professional and highly qualified lawyers, excellent English. I sleep well and don't worry about my checking out here. Not going back to home country

18 hours ago, KhunLA said:

wife can access your bank by showing your death certificate

Where does one access a death certificate? (Police? Hospital? Lawyer?)

21 hours ago, MarkT63 said:

Just went to local law firm and was quoted 50,000 baht for a bi-lingual will - which I thought was a bit steep!!

Only really have my 800,000 in the bank for my retirement visa (and I suppose my motorbike) of any value in my own name.

Appreciate any suggestions on best way to make sure it can be accessed in case of my demise. 🍻

Far too expensive, search around much more.
I paid about 7000 the first time with cheap lawyer, then update about 15000 for a very good lawyer in Bangkok.

1 minute ago, Paul Dee said:

Where does one access a death certificate? (Police? Hospital? Lawyer?)

Don't know, don't want to know, hope I never find out.

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Don't know, don't want to know, hope I never find out.

Presume you must not be married then.

23 minutes ago, jojothai said:

Presume you must not be married then.

Married with a daughter, and why I never want to know. Thought that would have been obvious and self explanatory, why I never want to know.

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Married with a daughter, and why I never want to know. Thought that would have been obvious and self explanatory, why I never want to know.

Obvious to me that you will need to know if your wife dies.

3 minutes ago, jojothai said:

Obvious to me that you will need to know if your wife dies.

You're a little slow, and it's still not clicking.

Have a nice day

50,000 baht for a Will is way too high. With your limited assets you can, as others have said, make your own Will. You can use a template or just write it in your own words, in simple, clear language. No need for elaborate legalise. Example. After giving your full name, address, and passport #, and stating you are of sound mind, you can write something like this: "I have the following assets in Thailand and I want all of them to go to _____________________, holding ID #______________. Then list your assets that you are leaving to this person or if more than one person, in what percentages, clearly and completely.

You can make your main beneficiary your Executor and have two other people sign as witnesses, along with your signature and date. (An Executor can't be both Executor and witness.) Some people also put burial instructions in their Wills, and state that the burial should be paid for first before the remaining assets are distributed. Your Executor should have a copy of the Will or know where to find it after your death.

52 minutes ago, jojothai said:

Far too expensive, search around much more.
I paid about 7000 the first time with cheap lawyer, then update about 15000 for a very good lawyer in Bangkok.

You over paid! There is no need to pay that much,some lawyers also charge 35000 baht for probate .

You can also do that by yourself,step by step.

2 hours ago, Rumpelstilskin said:

7,000 baht at Magna Carta law firm in Pattaya. Very professional and highly qualified lawyers, excellent English. I sleep well and don't worry about my checking out here. Not going back to home country

I also used Magna Carta when they had a 6,000 baht special. Well worth the money (even at twice that amount). 10k baht (give or take) is a number I use to hear at expat meetings.

23 hours ago, MarkT63 said:

Just went to local law firm and was quoted 50,000 baht for a bi-lingual will - which I thought was a bit steep!!

Only really have my 800,000 in the bank for my retirement visa (and I suppose my motorbike) of any value in my own name.

Appreciate any suggestions on best way to make sure it can be accessed in case of my demise. 🍻

You can write a simple last will in your own language – preferably English – and sign it in prescence of two witnesses, or sign it at the amphor office that can also keep the will on file. A handwritten last will only signed by you is also legal.

Text-pages below is from the book "Thai Law for Foreigners"...

2 hours ago, Paul Dee said:

Where does one access a death certificate? (Police? Hospital? Lawyer?)

Hospital, it is a doctor that can declare a person is dead.

Seems like people are being overcharged in Thailand compared to the UK where you can have a lawyer make out your will for £47 (2000 but) it is possible to have a will made up for free,if you use a charity who will expect a donation to the charity in the will.

On 4/7/2026 at 11:38 AM, MarkT63 said:

Just went to local law firm and was quoted 50,000 baht for a bi-lingual will - which I thought was a bit steep!!

Only really have my 800,000 in the bank for my retirement visa (and I suppose my motorbike) of any value in my own name.

Appreciate any suggestions on best way to make sure it can be accessed in case of my demise. 🍻

A friend of mine used a lawyer in Khon Kaen to set up a bilingual will (thai & English). He paid 10.000 baht for that will.

Sounds wildly excessive. Around 15 years ago I went to Premier Thai Lawyers in Bangkok and the fee was a quarter of that. I'm sure that its gone up, but not 400%. Highly recommend them for all legal matters.

22 hours ago, Cat Boy said:

Sounds wildly excessive. Around 15 years ago I went to Premier Thai Lawyers in Bangkok and the fee was a quarter of that. I'm sure that its gone up, but not 400%. Highly recommend them for all legal matters.

15 years ago EVERYTHING was cheaper!!!

On 4/7/2026 at 11:38 AM, MarkT63 said:

Only really have my 800,000 in the bank for my retirement visa (and I suppose my motorbike) of any value in my own name.

Do you only have one beneficiary, maybe your wife or partner? Then make him/her a co-signatory on your bank account (doable at least with Bangkok Bank, but probably others). With this setup, the co-signator can access your bank account with your passbook. His/her name can only be seen under UV light, so it's not equivalent to a joint account, and thus isn't an impediment to your visa extensions. Yes, possibly this option expires at your demise (like a power of attorney). But nothing definitive about this in Thai law. And the bank won't know of your death, if no one tells them -- and thus they're not liable for any actions your beneficiary might do. Thus, the co-signator should have no problem cleaning out the account (but leaving a small amount, as they can't close the account). Also, if your account is setup for online banking, and your beneficiary has been assigned as a transferee -- he/she can clean out most of the account online. If in your Will (see following) your sole beneficiary is also co-signator and online banking transferee -- not only are the mechanics of cleaning out your bank account easily doable -- but also the ethics are also sound, in the unlikely situation a legal situation arises.

But, yes, download a Will template and make a simple Will, witnessed by two adults, not beneficiaries. Have your sole beneficiary as executor, and have her/him possessor of the Will, or knowledge of its location. And there's absolutely no requirement to register your Will with the Amphur (some old wives tale perpetuated on this forum).

So, probably your Will will never come into play, if your beneficiary successfully cleans out your bank account, thus no need for an expensive probation. Motorbike? Not sure how title would be changed without probation. But if probation would be needed, the cost of probation would certainly exceed the value of your motorbike (unless a 800CC BMW qualifies as your motorbike). Probably some de minimis clause in Thai law might apply, like for covering your clothes and golf clubs, etc. But I don't know.

".....Then make him/her a co-signatory on your bank account (doable at least with Bangkok Bank, but probably others)."
wont work!!!
if ur getting ur retirement extension on ur having 800,000 in the bank it MUST ONLY be in YOUR name, not co sign

PLUS: when u die ur accounts are LOCKED, if someone tries to empty them using an app or online ur doing something illegal

I have pre signed POA's for selling my car/bike, so along with copy of my passport and current visa

no problem to sell. In PHUKET no COR needed to sell

1 hour ago, zzzzz said:

".....Then make him/her a co-signatory on your bank account (doable at least with Bangkok Bank, but probably others)."
wont work!!!
if ur getting ur retirement extension on ur having 800,000 in the bank it MUST ONLY be in YOUR name, not co sign

PLUS: when u die ur accounts are LOCKED, if someone tries to empty them using an app or online ur doing something illegal

I used my 800k Bangkok Bank account for Non Imm O-A extensions for many years. My wife is co-signator. Her name is only visible on the passbook when the bank shines a UV light on it. And it is literally not a joint account, thus not in violation of Immigration rules. This subject has been discussed for many years on this forum.

The bank won't lock your account if it doesn't know you're dead. And no one is obligated to tell them. Yes, the lawyer lobby has fought for years to have everything go thru probate -- including Amphur Wills -- as probate fees begin at 50,000 baht. But if your sole beneficiary in your Will is your wife -- and she's your co-signatory -- and there is nobody out there with a claim on your assets (thus no aggrieved party, except the lawyer mafia) -- no reason not to follow my advice, as who's going to press charges? (The bank has no liability, if it doesn't know you're dead.) What's the worst that could happen -- that you'll then have to pay 50k and go thru probate.

Actually, she doesn't even need to be a co-signator to go online with your password and transfer your money to her account, assuming you have online banking.

ok, up to you
and good luck to ya
when we reported as friend of mine who recently died AT HOME, the first thing the police did on arriving was ask for the passport and BANK account book, atm cards and which bank
Search Assist

Search Assist

The local authorities, such as the police or hospital staff, typically notify the bank of a person's death in Thailand. After this notification, the bank will freeze the deceased's account until the probate process is completed.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/thailandfamilylaw.com.ico thailandfamilylaw.comhttps://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.expattaxthailand.com.ico expattaxthailand.com

When someone dies in Thailand, their bank accounts usually freeze as soon as the bank becomes aware of the death. This process is automatic and is designed to protect the estate for the rightful heirs.

Why Thai Bank Accounts Freeze Immediately After Death

Banks in Thailand must protect the estate under the Civil and Commercial Code. When they receive confirmation that a customer has died, they are required to freeze all accounts until a court appoints an estate administrator.

Banks may become aware of the death when:

• A family member notifies the branch

• A hospital, police officer or funeral director confirms the death

• The bank receives a Thai death certificate

• Staff verify an obituary or online notice

A freeze applies to:

• Savings and current accounts

• Fixed deposits

• Foreign currency accounts

• Online banking

• Debit and credit cards connected to accounts

• Most joint accounts

6 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

when we reported as friend of mine who recently died AT HOME, the first thing the police did on arriving was ask for the passport and BANK account book, atm cards and which bank

That's an interesting eye opener. Thanx for providing. I guess I'd better brief the wife to go online before I'm cold.