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What should I do regarding my estate and beneficiaries if I die as a UK expat in Thailand?
UK expatdeath in ThailandThai authoritiesBritish Embassypension beneficiariesestate planningwill preparationThai death certificateimmigration rulesexpat legal advice
Sep 5, 2021
5 years ago
Mark ************
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat happens when you die as an UK ex pat living in Thailand..does the Thai authorities inform the British Embassy in Bangkok who in turn inform UK embassy and HMRC and private pensions..the reason I ask is I have a Thai wife and 6 month son..my police pension people have my Thai wife as beneficiary when I die..but I need to know who needs informing in UK and what docs they need eg Thai death certificate translated..I live in rural Issan (only ferang) I have given my police pension info to my Australian brother in law in Melbourne who is married to my wifes sister so in the event of my death he can contact the pension department ..I have sent an enquiry form to the pension dept re this but after 5 weeks received no reply..I am 64 and hope to live a lot longer however no one knows..just want to know my wife and son are going to be ok if the worse happens. Thanks in advance stay safe
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the concerns of a UK expat living in Thailand regarding the procedures and documentation that must be handled if he were to die, particularly in relation to informing authorities, his family, and managing his estate. The contributors emphasize the importance of having a will, notifying the embassy, and ensuring that beneficiaries are properly documented with pension funds. They also highlight the necessity of a Thai death certificate and translations, as well as the role of the local authorities in notifying the embassy.
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Pa***
It is very nice to see a man care like this for his family and leave things well tied up. May you live many years to enjoy your family.
Mark ************
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks folks stay safe🙏🙏🙏🇹🇭
John *********
There are some real idiots on here with some personal opinions that are truly awful I wonder why these people are even in Thailand if they hate The country its systems and have truly no respect for its women . I can’t really say Who the real idiot is because of the rules of Facebook but I’m sure reading the comments above you can all work it out PS if it assists he just ridiculous others
Andy ********
One thing that will help the pension company will be to have as much as possible in place before the event. By this if I talk about my own situation. My wife is my sole beneficiary on my pension and as such filled out the appropriate paperwork. I have also submitted a copy of my marriage certificate and translation to them. The account (joint) that they pay the pension will remain the same, this is also on record. That account can be in Thailand if we choose. In the event of my death all that will happen is the ammout the pension pays will change.
Simon *******
@Andy *******
if she tells them your dead ??Reply to
Simon *******
Reply
David ********
I done a Thai will cost 10.000 baht in thai and English. Got 4 copy’s , As for the Pensoin in the uk , I call them and they send me a from to fill out , my wife will only get half of my pension once I am dead because she 20 years younger than me
Bruce *****
@David *******
is that the standard basic state pension? I didn’t think wife could get it. Ps my wife is not British David ********
we was talking about private Pensoin and what happen to it once my dead , As for state pension unless she pays stamp she will not get a penny
Reply to
David ********
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Derek ***********
@David *******
hopefully that will be enough for her to surviveReply to
Derek ***********
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Stephenie **********
If you're that worried I'd leave a letter with a lawyer saying in the event of my death etc then keep away from balconies, cook your own food, check stairway carpet is secure and no electrical items in the bathroom.
Gill *****
I think you can log it with the Pension Service now that your wife is beneficiary
Ricky ******
Hi, I am a practising UK Probate Solicitor. I will happily give you a few basic pointers if you pm me.
Paul ***********
You make a will here and give details for everything outside uk if married and get forms in case of death and fill in
Chris ********
I've just sorted out my will for UK. Quote "we will not be able to bring any assets in Thailand back to UK". Only assets in UK covered by UK will. I'm getting separate will for Thailand so I know fiancée will be OK. Overkill?, don't care! Peace of mind is everything. Hope this helps
Brad *******
So just to confirm what everyone is saying above, even if an expat has no assets in Thailand except for the 800,000k in a Thai bank required by immigration, it's still best to have a separate will drawn up by a Thai lawyer and give to your executor back in the home country?
Even with say the help of his Embassy the home country executor for say Mr. Expat Smith, has no ability to access the 800k in the account in Mr. Expat Smith's name at the Thai bank because that account is in Thailand. ?
Even being single with no Thai beneficiaries?
Come to think of it, I can't remember when I set up the 800k bank account whether there was a beneficiary form.
Even with say the help of his Embassy the home country executor for say Mr. Expat Smith, has no ability to access the 800k in the account in Mr. Expat Smith's name at the Thai bank because that account is in Thailand. ?
Even being single with no Thai beneficiaries?
Come to think of it, I can't remember when I set up the 800k bank account whether there was a beneficiary form.
A-I-*****
Local authorities will notify the Embassy but that is about it. You should have a Will and maybe you will find helpful information here:
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Tim *******
Cs
David *********
Yes , well done Mark , great to plan , have heard about this UK system , very generous , great to plan , good stuff .
Arporn ********
Pm me pls..I have all info.
Tony ********
@Arporn *******
send me info please Reply to
Tony ********
Reply
Oliver *************
Honourable Thing to do i wish you the Best in Your Endevour
Bri *****
Sensible to plan for the future Mark, it looks like you have it covered 👍
Danny ********
And always make sure you are worth more alive then dead.....you don't want to accelerate things.
John-Paul ******
Also... like in the service... carry an form of identification with you and not just on a locked mobile. A card in your wallet will do
John-Paul ******
Register with your embassy... no matter what your nationality. They can only help if they know where you are.
Simon *******
Rich coy is it hard when your dead ???Asking for a friend
Rich *****
@Simon ******
, being dead isn’t hard. It’s a bit like being stupid. It’s only hard for the people close to you! 😂Reply to
Rich *****
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Keith ******
It’s always best for someone to check with the relevant embassy that the death has been reported to them.
I had a friend die in Thailand & six months after his death, his Thai wife asked me to contact his embassy on her behalf with a few pension questions. The death had been reported to the local police & authorities but they never informed his embassy.
I had a friend die in Thailand & six months after his death, his Thai wife asked me to contact his embassy on her behalf with a few pension questions. The death had been reported to the local police & authorities but they never informed his embassy.
Derek ***********
So I get the impression that your wife doesn't speak English?
Mark ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Derek **********
she speaks some but not enough to sort out death of a non thai..hence passed info on to bro in law..I have no assets in UK accept UK bank account but transfer regularly to my Thai bankDerek ***********
@Mark ***********
understandReply to
Derek ***********
Reply
Frédéric ******************
@Derek **********
Why would she ? They live in Thailand.Derek ***********
@Frédéric ****************
I was just askingReply to
Derek ***********
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Mike *******
Get a Will properly prepared by a lawyer, have Executors appointed .
Inform Pension Funds of you intentions and get their confirmation your wishes are properly documented.
And good luck!!!
Inform Pension Funds of you intentions and get their confirmation your wishes are properly documented.
And good luck!!!
Rich *****
In simple terms you need a will, in that will you will have beneficiaries and the will, will be actioned by the executer (also named in the will) under the power given by probate. The real key is getting a will sorted while you’re alive!
Michael ********
Have you registered with embassy ?
Its not a requirement but i saw the benifits of it during the Tsunami
Its not a requirement but i saw the benifits of it during the Tsunami
Bim *******
By Thai Law a foreigner passing away in Thailand the Police has to inform the embassy yes.
जया *****
@Bim ******
recently I had a British elderly passed away in Bangkok Hopsital. The police search her belonging and contacted a friend in London about her passing and from there they made arrangements with the BHCReply to
जया *****
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