Farang buying a house with a Thai lady

[Robinhood]

Hi,

I'm planning to marry a Thai lady. We have been together for about a year. I don't have any assets in Thailand, but I have a property in the UK and a couple of modest pensions from UK institutions. We both live in Hua Hin.
If the marriage doesn't work out, are my UK assets at risk? From my research it seems only assets acquired in Thailand during the marriage would be at risk. In four or five years I may want to build a house for her in Issan. If we divorced soon after this was completed, would all be lost? I know this board has a wealth of personal experience and I'm interested to hear of any pitfalls should my marriage not work out. Cheers Robin

[HHTel]

Contrary to popular belief, upon divorce assets acquired during the marriage are divided equally between both partners. As a farang can't legally own land in Thailand, the value of the property is divided. That means that when the property is sold, the value of the sale is shared equally.

The Thai courts don't have any power over assets in the UK and any claim has to be applied through the UK courts.

Been there, done that!

[thecolonel]

Contrary to popular belief, upon divorce assets acquired during the marriage are divided equally between both partners. As a farang can't legally own land in Thailand, the value of the property is divided. That means that when the property is sold, the value of the sale is shared equally.

The Thai courts don't have any power over assets in the UK and any claim has to be applied through the UK courts.

Been there, done that!

A. "upon divorce assets acquired during the marriage are divided equally between both partners"

Or did you mean...


B. Upon divorce ONLY assets acquired during the marriage........

Because if its A. then that could mean that she's entitled to other assets too, but just half the Thai ones since marriage

Thanks

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[Benroon]

Absolutely not at risk.

[HHTel]

Not quite sure what difference the word 'only' makes. Assets acquired during the marriage by either partner is equally divided. Regarding the UK, the Thai courts don't have that jurisdiction so the divorce would have to go through the UK courts separately regarding any assets in the UK. Noted that the rules in the UK is not limited to assets acquired during the marriage.

[buksida]

Regardless of what the "law" says, it all comes down to the discrepancy of the Thai judge and how good the lawyers are if a property dispute goes to court. Married or not, you can still lose the lot in Thailand, I know a few that have found that out the hard way.

[Nereus]

Regardless of what the 'law' says, it all comes down to the discrepancy of the Thai judge and how good the lawyers are if a property dispute goes to court. Married or not, you can still lose the lot in Thailand, I know a few that have found out the hard way.

Hear, Hear!

[thecolonel]

Absolutely not at risk.

What isnt?

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[Dannie Boy]

Regardless of what the 'law' says, it all comes down to the discrepancy of the Thai judge and how good the lawyers are if a property dispute goes to court. Married or not, you can still lose the lot in Thailand, I know a few that have found out the hard way.

Hear, Hear!

Just to balance things up, my brother in law who wasn’t married but put his property in his partners name, managed to get possession back going through the courts. It took a long time and lawyers fees, but still ended up with about 90% of what he had paid for the property.

[2/cb]

Hi,

I'm planning to marry a Thai lady. We have been together for about a year. I don't have any assets in Thailand, but I have a property in the UK and a couple of modest pensions from UK institutions. We both live in Hua Hin.
If the marriage doesn't work out, are my UK assets at risk? From my research it seems only assets acquired in Thailand during the marriage would be at risk. In four or five years I may want to build a house for her in Issan. If we divorced soon after this was completed, would all be lost? I know this board has a wealth of personal experience and I'm interested to hear of any pitfalls should my marriage not work out. Cheers Robin

Having read the posts on this thread, and listened to chaps who have lived in Thailand for years, I would say that co-habitation is safer from a financial point of view.

[Highflyer]

Hi, some advice re a Thai Lady friend , her partner a Norwegian died suddenly, they had a new Ford Ranger which was put in her name, does she legally own the vehicle?

[HHTel]

As his spouse, she is the first beneficiary of his assets in Thailand. The same goes the other way round except that the surviving foreigner has 365 days to 'sell' the property as the law does not permit him/her to own it indefinitely.

[Dannie Boy]

Hi, some advice re a Thai Lady friend , her partner a Norwegian died suddenly, they had a new Ford Ranger which was put in her name, does she legally own the vehicle?

As the registered keeper I’m sure she does.


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[HHTel]

Having read the posts on this thread, and listened to chaps who have lived in Thailand for years, I would say that co-habitation is safer from a financial point of view.

Not really. Unlike a divorce where acquired assets are equally divided, should the relationship be ended, then assets remain belonging to the current owner. In the case of land where it was probably bought in the Thai partner's name, then he/she remains the owner and the foreigner has no claim on it.

[HHTel]

Hi, some advice re a Thai Lady friend , her partner a Norwegian died suddenly, they had a new Ford Ranger which was put in her name, does she legally own the vehicle?

As the registered keeper I’m sure she does.


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There is no 'registered keeper' in Thailand. She is the owner as it is in her name.