CLIENT ACCOUNTS
What families say about working with Ayutthaya Counsel
These are accounts from executors and family members who have worked through Thai probate and estate administration with our support.
Return to home320+
Matters closed since the firm opened
12+
Years practising Thai succession law
18+
Nationalities represented among clients
4.8
Average satisfaction rating from client feedback
CLIENT ACCOUNTS
Accounts from executors and families
Margaret Whitmore
Executor — British, Bangkok resident
"My mother passed in April and left a property and two bank accounts in her name. I had no idea how to begin the probate process in Thailand. Ayutthaya Counsel sent me a document checklist within a day of my first enquiry, and I was kept informed in writing at every step. The whole administration closed in just under five months — which I understand is quite prompt. I would not have known how to manage this without their support."
April 2025
Prawit Kanchanaburi
Executor — Thai national, Chiang Mai
"I was appointed executor by my uncle's will but had never been through probate before. What I found most useful was that the firm explained what each stage required before it arrived — I never felt surprised by what was being asked of me. The written briefings were clear and genuinely helpful. I felt informed rather than guided around something I didn't understand."
March 2025
Sandra Hoepfner
Beneficiary — German, non-resident
"My father was a long-term Bangkok resident and left a small estate. I live in Germany and was named as the sole beneficiary. Ayutthaya Counsel handled everything on the ground in Thailand. The English-language updates were sent regularly and explained the Thai court process in a way I could actually follow. The closing report was thorough and gave me confidence that the administration had been handled correctly."
February 2025
Richard Tanaka
Executor — Japanese-British, Bangkok
"I used the probate application preparation service after my wife's passing. I was already familiar with the basic process but needed the application papers drafted correctly and the registry submission coordinated. The turnaround was efficient and the communication was calm — which mattered a great deal given the circumstances. I would return to the firm without hesitation if I needed further assistance."
January 2025
Anong Nitiporn
Family representative — Thai national, Phuket
"The estate we needed to administer included a piece of land in a rural province as well as a Bangkok bank account. I was worried this would be complicated to manage from Phuket. Ayutthaya Counsel coordinated with both the provincial land office and the Bangkok bank directly, keeping me informed by email throughout. The land transfer took longer than the bank accounts — the firm explained why — but the process was never in doubt."
March 2025
James Leclercq
Executor — Belgian, semi-resident Bangkok
"I engaged the executor support service part-way through an administration I had started myself. I had lodged the initial application but was struggling to navigate the responses from the court registry. Ayutthaya Counsel came in at that stage, reviewed what had been done, and took the correspondence from there. The handover was smooth and the matter was resolved within about three months. Straightforward and professional."
April 2025
CASE STUDIES
Three matters, in more detail
CASE STUDY 01 — FULL ADMINISTRATION WITH INTERNATIONAL BENEFICIARIES
The situation
A Bangkok resident passed without a will, leaving two condominium units and a savings account. Three adult children — one in Thailand and two overseas — needed the estate administered and the assets transferred to them in equal shares. None had experience of Thai probate, and the overseas siblings could not easily travel to Bangkok.
What the firm did
The firm applied for letters of administration on behalf of the Thai-resident child, who was appointed administrator by the court. Document compilation was coordinated remotely with all three siblings. The firm liaised with the condominium developers' registries and the bank, providing written updates to all three beneficiaries throughout. The full administration was completed with a closing account shared with all parties.
Outcome
All assets transferred to the three beneficiaries in equal shares within seven months of the initial instruction. The overseas siblings did not need to travel to Thailand at any stage. The closing account confirmed the distribution and was retained by each beneficiary.
CASE STUDY 02 — EXECUTOR SUPPORT FOR A PART-COMPLETED ADMINISTRATION
The situation
An executor had obtained probate for her father's estate but was struggling to progress the asset-holder stage. Two banks had requested documentation she did not know how to source, and a provincial land office had not responded to her initial correspondence over several months.
What the firm did
The firm reviewed the probate order and the executor's correspondence file, then drafted new letters to both banks and to the provincial land office. A follow-up was sent to the land office after six weeks without response. The firm kept the executor informed at each exchange, explaining what each response meant and what would follow.
Outcome
Both banks released the accounts within eight weeks of the firm's letters. The land office responded following the follow-up letter and the land transfer was completed within four months. The executor was not required to make any additional court applications.
CASE STUDY 03 — PROBATE APPLICATION FOR A WILL WITH AN OVERSEAS EXECUTOR
The situation
A British national had retired to Hua Hin and passed leaving a valid will naming his adult son — resident in the United Kingdom — as executor. The estate consisted of a long-term leasehold interest in a property and a Thai bank account. The son had limited knowledge of Thai law and could attend Thailand on one occasion only.
What the firm did
The firm prepared all documents for the probate application and coordinated the one Bangkok court hearing around the executor's planned visit. Application papers were sent to the executor in the United Kingdom for review in advance. The firm attended the hearing with the executor and reported on the outcome the same day.
Outcome
Probate granted at the first hearing. The executor was formally recognised within the court's standard processing time. The firm provided a written summary of the grant and the next steps for asset-holder liaison, which the executor then managed with the firm's ongoing support service.
CONTACT DETAILS
Reach us directly
TELEPHONE
+66 2 268 7351ADDRESS
89 Soi Sathorn 12, Si Lom
Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 9:00 – 12:00
PROFESSIONAL STANDING
Lawyers Council of Thailand — registered practice
Standing in Bangkok Civil Court and provincial courts
Professional indemnity maintained in accordance with Council requirements
Practice restricted to inheritance and estate matters
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Send a brief note describing where your family's administration currently stands. We will respond in writing — usually within two working days — with an outline of how we can assist.
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