Power of attorney in Thailand

[Kenny202]

Living in Thailand with my missus (not legally married) hopefully long term, and have most of my cash assets back home. Have some insurance set up for the missus should I have an accident etc. Over here I have a new car, motor bike, some cash in Thai bank account and in the event of my death or an accident would like her to be able to take ownership of these things and have access to my Thai bank. Also make decisions in Thailand on my behalf should I have a brain injury or something. I'm guessing I would need a Thai and translated / English version before signing.

Anyone had any experience with this? Is it costly to get done?

[SantiSuk]

Use of 'missus' - I'll assume you are British.

Sounds like you need:

A UK Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) over you property and financial affairs and over your health and welfare - as far as I know there is no equivalent in Thai law

A UK will

A Thai will

All of these can be done without paying for legal advice if you are prepared to put in the research, preparation and submission effort

LPAs are administered by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) in the UK. It costs £110 to register an LPA. I believe that an LPA that combines property and financial affairs and health and welfare can be registered as one document and therefore requiring only one fee (but no doubt you will find that out as you research further). Government has an interest in making it easy for citizens to make an LPA so the OPG issues good guidance and provides a helpful helpline. My experience with OPG, when I was an OPG-appointed Deputy looking after my senile aunt's affairs, was that they are accessible and helpful. You'll need Skype or similar to avoid expensive calls unless you can arrange to do stuff when visiting the UK (0300 numbers so free when in UK, but not from here). Here is the place to get started on LPAs:

https://www.lastingpowerofattorney.service.gov.uk/home

Making a UK will can cost nothing if your affairs are straightforward though I think there is a fee if you want to register the will with the UK Probate Service (can help avoid subsequent disputes). Here is the place to get started on making a UK will:

https://www.gov.uk/make-will/overview

Making a Thai will - I don't have a similar official website for you but I would suggest doing some googling of Thai visa first.

I did all of these through paid advice. Cost of that depends on time and complexity and whether it is just advice you are looking for or the full service where the lawyer completes and lodges documents for you. It's some time since I did mine but would expect a full service LPA (including the £110 registration fee) to be of the order of £250 to £500, a UK will to be £150 to £250 and a Thai will to be 3,000 baht to 10,000 baht.

Note that Citizen's Advice Bureau can help with free advice on UK wills (LPA's too? - not sure)

[Kenny202]

U mm Australian. I have a will covering Australia but I believe u need a Thai will to cover assets etc in Thailand

[Soutpeel]

U mm Australian. I have a will covering Australia but I believe u need a Thai will to cover assets etc in Thailand

the title of your post relates to power of Attorney and now your going on about wills, not the same thing

PA = Give someone the authority to act on your behalf while your still alive

Will = What they are going to do with your assets once you have snuffed it

[Kenny202]

I realize this. You have any information or just another negative post where u like to appear that u know what Ur talking about?

[Soutpeel]

I realize this. You have any information or just another negative post where u like to appear that u know what Ur talking about?

Not a negative post in the least, if you dont know what your asking for, how can you expect anyone to give you the correct advice,

so please if my distinction between a Will and a PA, is incorrect please be so good as to correct me, I am always open to learning something new

[Naam]

unfortunately Power of Attorney does not exist when it concerns banks in Thailand. acess to bank accounts as well as access to any other assets can be only covered by a will made in Thailand according to Thai law. however i have no idea what the situation is if you are physically or mentally incapable to make decisions. in this respect i strongly suggest advice from a lawyer.