Thai gf gets half of everything!

[jayrockwell]

I remember coming across a quote somwhile back that if your Thai gf has lived with you for more than 'X' months (I think they mentioned 6 months), under Thai law she is entitled to half of 'everything'. Does anybody know about this one? She would no doubt have to go to court to enforce it (6-12 month delay).

Although, I know a Thai couple that have just split-up after 15 years (not married), the guy took the businesses, money, everything up to him, the wife couldn't do anything. But maybe a sharp girl who knows the law could do something.

What do you think?

James

[bangkokman]

are you serious or just spamming the board??  ???

[fester]

In Thailand only marriage certificate entitles the spouse to take your assets. By law, no marriage - nothing.

[D80]

Ha!  I have not heard of anything like that at all whatsoever!  Under Thai law, there is no protection at all for couple living together without getting married.  The relationship will not be recognised.  It will even be a problem if people have kids when they are not married, let alone talking about getting half of everything!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Thai law does not recognize a defacto arrangement at all. Some Thai Consulates won't even give you a visa other than tourist....looks like you are safe

                                       

[jayrockwell]

Thanks for your replies, yes I was serious. Maybe the guy who told me liked to spin yarns, or had one too many.

Anyway, according to y'all 'we' are in the clear.

Or are we?

James

[D80]

Mate, believe me, it is quite difficult getting everything divided equally under Thai law even when the couple are married.  Even if there is some obscure provision on it (that I have not heard off ever), then there would have been problems with enforcement anyway, just like any other rules in Thailand.  My family has been in the legal profession for ages in there and it's not as easy as one might think.  In fact, it is probably easier to do so in the UK!?!  

In Thailand, relationship outside marriage does not count, even if they've been living together for yonks!  Even if the woman got kids from the man!  That's partly why lots of Thais wouldn't just live together and not get married apart from the cultural thing.  If there is no reason like commercial issues (i.e. business risk, bankruptcy etc..), usually, the woman would choose to get married cuz otherwise the law offers her no protection whatsoever.

So, legally, you are in the clear really.

[manfromoz]

I hate to disappoint everyone, but according to a Thai lawyer expert on this topic (ie, thai/farang relationships) there is a provision under Thai law for "de-facto" relationships. They are classified as partnership under the law.

Th egood news is that getting them enforced is near impossible. Also, there is no definitive time frame involved in this arrangement. Which basically means either 1 day or a lifetime living together it is all the same.

Good Luck everyone........

Please note the "hard to enforce" part of this comment.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Check whether a defacto farang can get a Non-Immigrant visa at Immigration based on partnership. No way Jose.

[manfromoz]

I guess the lawyer assumed that the question came from someone who was kind of permanent here, therefore had the necessary visa's.

As I said, this was from a Thai lawyer who specialised in relationship difficulties (divorce lawyer). He gave a talk at a Pattaya Ex-Pats Meeting a couple of weeks ago and this specific question was asked.

He wasn't overly happy about answering, but just said that yes it was an issue, but only a small problem