What documentation does my German friend need to make a will for his Thai wife?

May 17, 2024
6 months ago
Morning

Asking a question for a German friend, of mine.

He's in Germany now and very sick,

He has a thai wife, been married for years, how does he go about making a will .ie what documentation would his wife have to send ,ie copies of marriage certificate, ID contact details????? Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A German man who is currently ill and has a Thai wife is seeking advice on creating a will. Key considerations include whether the will should address assets in Germany or Thailand, and the documentation required for his wife. Comments suggest using a local lawyer in Thailand or creating a German will. Important documentation mentioned includes a marriage certificate (certified by the German embassy), ID card, and possibly contact details. One commenter noted the importance of having separate wills for different countries if assets are held in multiple locations.
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for your advice I'll pass it on
John *********
Contact the following company they have been assisting expats and overseas nationals with such matters as a firm since 2007 they have in-house Thai lawyers and a British lawyer as client care manager. They can be contacted with regards to the subject

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They can deal with the last Will remotely via email and provide instructions for witnessing if the gentleman is back in Germany 
Dennis *********
If he's German, and in Germany seems the simplest thing would be to do a German Will and/or Trust. AFIK none of these require any marriage certs, etc to be written.
Aake **********
Today we made a last will at the Municipal Office in Mahasarakham cost 40 baht
Graham ******
@Aake *********
Do you mean the Amphur?
Aake **********
@Graham *****
NO distrikt office
Graham ******
@Aake *********
Ok I Googled it -

What is a Thai amphur office?

A Thai Amphur office (spelled Amphoe or Ampoe) is best described as a civil registry office. The office is tasked with keeping a record of Thai marriage, Thai divorces, births in Thailand, deaths in Thailand, recordation of Thai prenuptial agreements, and in limited circumstances recordation of Thai wills.
Aake **********
@Graham *****
Province Hall
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
no need for that
Graham ******
Ady ******
I’ve just updated my will in the Uk and all I needed for my

Thai mrs was her address in Thailand and ID card for more easy contact and also my

Thai bank account name

And number so what ever your will states is where your money will go it’s simple and easy
Lynnette *******
@Ady *****
a UK will doesn't cover Thai assets I was told. Have to have will in each country.
Ady ******
@Lynnette ******
hi ok I will check with a thai lawyer thank you
Lynnette *******
@Ady *****
ask the UK solicitor if assets in Thailand are covered by UK will. I am going to check too. In USA my bank said they won't accept a UK will bequeathing funds to my named beneficiaries without a US will.
Ady ******
@Lynnette ******
ok thanks for info I will ask the local lawyers where I live in Thailand thanks
Lynnette *******
@Ady *****
be interesting to hear how you get on!
Ady ******
@Lynnette ******
i will DM you
Lynnette *******
@Ady *****
UK assets covered by UK will I was told. I haven't asked here in thailand yet, but will be checking that.
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
no thai assets all
Lynnette *******
@Chris ********************
ah then that's easier. I have UK, USA and Thai assets so got to have more than one will.
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
he's German
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Though a will had to be signed and witnessed,
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen *******
assets in Germany mate
Galenus ******
Marriage certificate, certified by German Embassy, 🆔 card.
Lynnette *******
Just been telling my son he needs to make a will in Thailand.
Brian *********
A straightforward will will suffice it’s not complex at all
Stephen ********
I have just spent 18 months helping to release the 800k visa deposit in Bkk bank for the family of my deceased Swiss friend. With a Will covering his Thai assets it would have been fairly straightforward. Dm me if you would like simple advice
Nick **********
Assets in Germany, in Thailand, or both ?

Is he still able to write himself ?

In his case I would start with contacting a local lawyer anyway, though he could also do everything himself.
Chris *********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Nick MuayPlam Germany
Nick **********
@Chris ********************
ok, then he only has to deal with the German laws regarding the will and inheritance tax, Thai laws are as good as irrelevant.

I'm not familiar with the details of these laws. But as in so many countries a handwritten will is legal in Germany if it conforms to certain specifications : handwritten and signed by the testator. The full name, the date it is written.

Inheritance tax depends on who inherits. For his wife it's tax-free for the first half million euros. No idea if his marriage is registered in Germany, and what steps to take if not.

If I were him, I would quickly write a will to have already something in case of emergency. And then contact a notary/lawyer to get all the details sorted out.

Sure he can make one himself, but since he is dying I would make sure every angle is covered by involving a notary.

Depends also if there are other siblings who might later contest whether he was sound of mind in case he writes it himself.
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