Dear Hillary,
I am now 66 years old and I get a pension from the UK, not that it’s worth much these days. The problem is I have been told that my Thai children cannot inherit my estate when I die. Their mother and I have been together for ten years, and these are my children, sorry ‘our’ children, but we have never been married as I have a wife and grown up children back in the old country. What is the situation as regards my Thai children? With what my friends are telling me, I am worried that in the event of my dying the children (8, 6 and 4) will be left with nothing. I don’t have much, but the UK family is all grown up and can take care of themselves. Have you any guidance, Hillary? There must have been others in this situation.
Planning Ahead
Dear Planning Ahead,
Congratulations on being one of the few foreigners to think ahead and not pretend to themselves that they are invincible. So don’t cash in the chips at this stage There are a few things you have to do before you shuffle off. First, have you made a will in Thailand? If you have not, then your family in the UK could have certain rights to your estate, which could out-rank your Thai children’s rights. There’s nothing like a funeral to get family members scratching each other’s eyes out! Especially from one side of the globe to another. The important factor to protect your Thai children is to see an accredited lawyer who will register your will in English and in Thai. If you really are that close to shuffling off then do it today! For that matter, do it today anyway – you might get run over by a bus. Your embassy can advise you too. I congratulate you on protecting the welfare and future of your new family. There are some insurance plans you can take out as well, as long as you are reasonably fit. Talk to your embassy as well, as they can advise on what happens with your pension.
