If you are overseas and a loved one dies in Thailand, the next steps can feel unclear. How do you access bank accounts or deal with a condo from abroad? Where do you even start in the first week?
The good news is you can begin most of the process without flying to Thailand. With the right documents, certified translations and a properly drafted power of attorney, the court can appoint an estate representative and banks or the Land Office can act. Delays usually come from missing paperwork, not distance.
This guide shows you what to do first, which documents to gather, how to use a power of attorney, and what can be handled remotely. If you would rather not juggle the paperwork, we can act as your local representative, prepare the court application, and deal with banks and the Land Office on your behalf.
Need to navigate Thai probate from overseas, but not sure where to start?
What To Do First (Day 1–7)
Confirm Whether a Thai Will Exists
Check for a Thai will or a foreign will that covers Thai assets. A foreign will can be used, but it must be translated into Thai, notarised, legalised by the Thai Embassy or MFA and then approved by a Thai court before probate can proceed.
A foreign will may also need validation in its home country (for example, probate or resealing) and can introduce delays if it conflicts with Thai requirements. Many expats avoid this by keeping a separate Thai will for Thai assets that is coordinated with any foreign will.
Get The Death Certificate
If the death occurred in Thailand, the hospital or district office issues the Thai death certificate. If the death occurred abroad, register the foreign death certificate with Thai authorities and obtain a certified Thai translation. Order multiple certified copies because banks, courts and government offices often require originals.
Timeframes vary. Local Thai certificates are often issued in a few days, while registering an overseas death via an embassy can add several days.
Start A Simple Document Folder
Gather passports or ID for the heirs, proof of relationship (birth or marriage certificates) and any will. If these documents were issued outside Thailand, plan for translation, notarisation and legalisation before they will be accepted in Thai proceedings. Keep certified copies wherever possible.
Check names, dates and transliterations match across passports, certificates and translations to avoid rejections or extra hearings.
Need help locating the will, arranging translations or legalisations? We can coordinate everything and act locally on your behalf, so you do not have to travel.
What You Can Do Remotely
Appoint a Thai Representative with Power of Attorney
If you cannot travel, appoint a representative. The POA should be bilingual, signed in your home country, then notarised and legalised by a Thai embassy or consulate before it can be used in Thailand. Some banks, land offices or courts may ask for separate POAs, so confirm requirements ahead.
Thailand is not an Apostille country, so an apostille alone is not enough.
Thai POAs should be specific about authorised actions (e.g. applying for probate, dealing with Bank X), not generic.
Identify and Secure Thai Assets
List the known assets and start collecting proof such as bank letters, title deeds and company documents. This evidence supports the probate application and later transfers. If you are unsure what exists, asset checks can be run with banks, the land registry and other agencies.
A concise asset list benefits the court and minimises follow-up requests.
Prepare for the Court Application
Thai courts must approve inheritance before banks or the Land Office will transfer assets. The court issues a probate order after reviewing your documents and claims and may schedule further hearings if papers are missing or there is a dispute.
Some cases include public notice periods (for example, around 90 days) for creditor claims, which can extend timelines.
If you want us to act locally, we can draft the POA, handle legalisations and prepare the court filing so you do not need to travel.
Typical Probate Timeframes
- With a Thai will and complete papers: 3–12 months
- Intestacy or missing papers: 6 months to 2 year
- Disputes or complex assets (property or companies): longer, potentially years.
In practice, requests for extra documents, certified copies or legalised translations are common in Thailand, and these can add time.
What Causes Probate Delays (And How To Avoid Them)
- Missing or un-legalised documents — order multiple certified copies early, arrange translation, notarisation and legalisation upfront
- Foreign wills awaiting validation — translate, notarise, legalise, and complete any home-country validation before filing where required
- Disputes between heirs — gather written consents where possible or consider mediation before filing
- Institution-specific POAs — some banks or offices want their own POA format; check requirements before notarising
- Inconsistent names or dates — ensure passports, certificates and translations match exactly to avoid rework
- Court scheduling — incomplete bundles and required public notices can add hearings and weeks
Probate Document Checklist for Overseas Families
Have these ready to keep things moving:
- Death certificate (Thai or foreign) with a certified Thai translation and legalisation — order several certified copies
- Passports or ID for each heir, plus proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificates) with translation and legalisation
- Thai will or foreign will — if foreign, arrange translation, notarisation, embassy or MFA legalisation, then Thai court approval
- Power of Attorney (bilingual), notarised and legalised if you are managing things from overseas
- Asset evidence such as bank letters, condo title deed or company papers
Quick tips: ensure names and dates match across all documents and keep both high-quality scans and a set of certified paper copies.
Banks, Property and What Next
Releasing Thai Bank Funds
Bank accounts are usually frozen until probate is completed. Heirs need a court order to access funds, and many institutions ask to see originals and certified copies before releasing money. Check if the bank also requires its own POA form.
Practical tips
- Ask the bank for its probate and POA requirements early
- Bring multiple certified copies to avoid repeat visits
- Make sure names and dates match across passports, certificates and translations
Transferring Property
Property transfers are handled after the court issues the probate order. The Land Office will not act without it. Foreign heirs should note that land has strict limits for non-Thai nationals and must dispose of it (typically within one year).
For condos, be ready to show the FET/FETF (or a bank letter proving inward remittance) and confirm the foreign quota is available. In inheritance cases, requirements vary by Land Office; we will check whether the deceased’s FET is accepted or whether the heir must qualify under Section 19(5) of the Condominium Act.
Practical tips
- Keep the court order, translations and ID documents together for the Land Office
- For condos, confirm quota status early and prepare any required foreign-exchange proof
- For land, take advice on lawful options or sale timing if you cannot hold title
When You Should Consider Travelling
Most estates can be handled from overseas with a proper POA and legalised documents. Travel is usually only worth it when it unlocks a bottleneck or cuts delay.
Situations Where a Trip Helps
- Contested probate or an active dispute — attending a hearing or mediation can speed resolution
- Company shares to transfer — wet-ink signatures, shareholder meetings or urgent board actions
- Urgent property issues — securing a home, dealing with tenants, inventories, or time-sensitive sales
- Originals cannot leave your country — some offices need in-person signing or sight of originals
- Bank requirements — a few branches insist on the heir appearing in person for verification
- Court evidence — when a judge asks for live testimony or sworn statements that cannot be arranged abroad
When Travel Is Usually Not Needed
- Routine bank releases and condo transfers with a legalised POA and complete papers
- Filing standard probate where documents are already translated, notarised and legalised
If You Do Travel — Be Ready
Bring your passport, the death certificate, will, POA, certified translations and multiple certified copies. Pre-book bank and Land Office appointments and confirm any branch-specific forms.
Five-Step Flow — Start Thai Probate from Overseas
- Obtain the Death Certificate — order several certified copies
- Check for a Thai or Foreign Will — translate, notarise and legalise if foreign
- Gather and Legalise Documents — IDs, proof of relationship, asset proofs
- Appoint a Power of Attorney — if you cannot travel
- File the Probate Application in Court — submit a complete bundle
Follow these steps in order. Most can be handled remotely with proper translations and legalisation.
Download The Full Guide to Claiming Thai Inheritance
Starting from abroad and want everything in one place? Get our complete step-by-step guide with document checklists, POA tips, bank and property procedures, and timelines you can follow.
Thai Probate and Inheritance FAQs
Probate
Yes. It is possible to complete the entire probate process from abroad, provided you appoint a trusted representative in Thailand with a properly drafted and legalised Power of Attorney (POA). Your representative can handle all court filings, liaise with lawyers, and manage the transfer of assets. This arrangement is common for overseas families who cannot travel to Thailand and is recognised by the Thai courts, as long as the POA meets the legal requirements and is certified by the relevant embassy or consulate before being submitted.
n many cases, yes. The Thai court will accept a general POA in the official court format, but banks and financial institutions often require their own forms to release funds or close accounts. This means that even if you have one POA for court proceedings, a separate bank-specific POA may still be necessary. To avoid delays, it is best to confirm with each institution at the outset which documentation they will accept, as requirements can differ between banks, government offices, and private entities.
You should order multiple certified copies of the death certificate, ideally at least 5–10. This is because original copies are often required by different institutions—such as the probate court, banks, land offices, and government departments—before they will release assets or register transfers. While some institutions return originals after inspection, others keep them on file, so having a sufficient number prevents delays caused by waiting for copies to be returned or needing to request more later.
The timeframe depends heavily on whether there is a valid Thai will. If a Thai will exists and all required documents are complete, straightforward cases are often concluded within 3–12 months. However, if the deceased died intestate (without a will), or if there are disputes among heirs, the process can take significantly longer—sometimes well over a year. Complex estates involving multiple heirs, property transfers, or contested claims may face further delays due to court backlogs and the need for additional hearings.
Yes, foreign wills can be used in Thai probate proceedings, but additional steps are required before they are accepted. The will must be officially translated into Thai, notarised, and legalised through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and/or the relevant Thai embassy. The Thai court will then review and approve the foreign will before recognising it as valid. This process adds time and cost, and in some cases, drafting a supplementary Thai will for assets located in Thailand can simplify matters considerably.
How ETT Can Help with Thai Probate from Overseas
What we do:
- Act as your local representative under POA
- Prepare and file the probate application with the court
- Arrange certified translations, notarisation and legalisation
- Liaise with banks to release funds and with the Land Office to transfer property
- Keep timelines tight with clear updates and fixed-fee options
How we work:
- Remote onboarding in days
- Clear document list and we can organise translations and legalisations
- One point of contact by email or WhatsApp
- Regular progress updates until completion
Need to navigate Thai probate from overseas, but not sure where to start?
