What Families Say
Honest accounts from families we have walked alongside
These are real reflections from people who came to us at difficult moments. We share them in the hope that they give others a sense of what to expect.
Back to HomeClient Experiences
In Their Own Words
Wattana Sirikaew
Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
My father passed in March and left a complicated situation — property in two provinces and some accounts that needed sorting out. I did not know where to begin. Pimchan sat with me for nearly two hours on the first meeting and explained everything step by step. She did not try to sell me anything beyond what I needed. I have referred two friends since.
May 2025
Richard Hargreaves
British expatriate, Sathorn, Bangkok
My wife and I needed to understand how our estate would be handled given we hold assets in both the UK and Thailand. The team at Sappaya was patient in explaining the Thai side of things and knew what questions to pass on to our London solicitors. The bilingual capability was genuinely useful — not just a selling point.
April 2025
Nanthida Pichayawat
Chiang Mai (matter in Bangkok)
I was dealing with my mother's estate from Chiang Mai, which made communication difficult. They accommodated video meetings throughout and sent written summaries after each one, which was enormously helpful. The process took about four months, which they had predicted from the start. No surprises.
May 2025
Aroon Kanchanaburi
Lat Phrao, Bangkok
My siblings and I had some differences about how our father's estate should be handled. I was worried it would turn adversarial. Nattawut helped us reach a resolution that everyone could accept without it escalating into something worse. That was not easy, and I am grateful for the patience involved.
April 2025
Siobhan Murphy
Irish national, Silom, Bangkok
I came to them for the Planning Consultation because I simply wanted to understand what happens to my assets here if something happens to me. An hour and a half later I had a clear picture. Pimchan was frank about what the law does and does not do, which I appreciated — no false reassurance. I will return when I am ready to formalise things.
May 2025
Thawatchai Wongkham
Samut Prakan
The administrative side of settling my grandmother's estate was more involved than I expected — several bank accounts, a small land title, and some shares. Sappaya handled the liaison with all the institutions and kept me informed throughout. Siriporn was particularly helpful with scheduling and making sure nothing got lost in the process.
April 2025
Longer Accounts
Case Studies
Names and identifying details have been changed. Accounts are shared with the relevant families' permission.
Case Study · Administration Service
Settling an estate with three heirs and assets across two provinces
The Situation
A Bangkok family came to us six weeks after their father's death. He had left no will. There were three adult children, two properties (one in Bangkok, one in Nakhon Ratchasima), bank accounts, and some shares. The family was on good terms but had no idea where to start, and one sibling was living overseas.
What We Did
We began with a consultation covering the statutory succession framework. Once engaged, we identified all assets, assisted with the court appointment of an administrator, and liaised with the Land Department and three separate banks. We communicated via video with the overseas sibling throughout.
The Outcome
The estate was settled in approximately five months. All three heirs received their shares. The overseas sibling later said the clearest part of the process was knowing what would happen at each stage before it happened.
"We came in with a heap of documents and no idea of the order things needed to happen. They were very methodical and very calm about all of it."
Duration: 5 months · Service: Estate Administration Help
Case Study · Comprehensive Service
Navigating a contested matter between siblings
The Situation
A client came to us after her brother had disputed the validity of their mother's will. The will had been made two years before the mother's death and left the family home to the daughter. The brother argued that their mother had not had the capacity to make it.
What We Did
We reviewed the will and the circumstances of its execution, gathered relevant documentation, and advised our client on the strength of her position. We then represented her through the formal resolution process, which included correspondence with her brother's legal representative and ultimately a court hearing.
The Outcome
The court found in favour of our client. The will was upheld. The matter took nine months from our instruction to resolution. Our client described the outcome as fair, though difficult given the family circumstances.
"They told me from the start what was strong about my case and what wasn't. I felt like I always knew where I stood."
Duration: 9 months · Service: Comprehensive Inheritance Service
Case Study · Planning Consultation
An expatriate understanding what planning is available
The Situation
A long-term Australian expatriate with property in Thailand and superannuation in Australia wanted to understand how his estate would be handled under Thai law and whether a Thai will would be useful alongside his Australian one.
What We Did
We held a single consultation covering Thai succession law as it applied to his assets, the interaction between Thai and Australian legal systems, and the practical options available to him. We also noted the areas that fell outside our scope and where he should take separate advice.
The Outcome
The client left with a clear understanding of the gaps in his current arrangements and a list of specific steps to consider. He later returned to engage us on a further matter. The initial consultation cost him ฿7,100 and took ninety minutes.
"I had been putting this off for two years because I assumed it would be complicated. It was not. Ninety minutes and I finally understood what I actually needed to do."
Duration: 90-minute consultation · Service: Planning Consultation
Our Record
The Practice in Numbers
2017
Year Founded
340+
Families Assisted
4.8
Average Rating
3
Bar-Registered Professionals
Lawyers Council of Thailand
All principals hold current registration and comply with professional conduct requirements.
Bangkok Legal Directory 2024
Recommended practice, Inheritance & Estate Administration — second consecutive year.
Thai-British Law Network
Member practice supporting coordinated guidance in cross-jurisdictional estate matters.
Reach Us
Contact the Practice
Telephone
+66 2 819 5347Office
47 Soi Ari, Phaya Thai
Bangkok 10400
Hours
Mon–Fri: 9:00–17:30
Sat: By appointment
Ready to have that first conversation?
There is no charge for an initial call. We will listen to where things stand and tell you honestly what, if anything, we can help with.
Get in Touch