Thai Estate Administration & Executor Petition — CCC Book 6

Yes. Without a will, the statutory heirs ranked under §1629 of the Civil and Commercial Code petition the court to appoint an estate administrator. The core filings are the death certificate, house registration, proof of relationship and an inventory of estate assets; hearings are usually scheduled 45-60 days after the petition.

Heirs abroad do not need to fly back. They sign a power of attorney before a notary in their country of residence, have it apostilled or legalised at a Thai embassy, and we then translate and certify it for the court and the Land Department as a single bundle.

Transfer happens once the court's appointment order is final. At the Land Office the registration itself takes one to two working days, on production of the order, the certificate of finality, the title deed and the administrator's ID. Where several heirs take jointly, bring signed consents from all of them.

Inheritance tax applies only to the portion above THB 100 million per recipient: 5% for ascendants and descendants, 10% for everyone else, with a legal spouse fully exempt. The return is due within 150 days of receiving the taxable portion of the estate.

Heirs are liable for the deceased's debts only up to the value of what they inherit, so personal assets are not exposed. Where the debts clearly exceed the estate, an heir can renounce it in writing before the competent officer within the statutory period. Prepare a full asset and liability inventory before deciding.