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The Legality of Divorce in Thailand

by with No Comment Family

Divorce is a difficult decision to make. It is an extremely personal experience and can have negative effects on both the emotional and financial well-being of a person. This is why it is important to take the time to acquire the right knowledge before heading towards a divorce.

Divorcing in Thailand is a complicated and often stressful process that requires expert advice, negotiation and settlement of all issues that may arise. A good Thai divorce lawyer can help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal and financial implications of a divorce.

The Legality of Divorce in Thailand
Getting a divorce in Thailand is an essential step for any couple to end their marriage. This will formally end the marriage and dissolve any legal obligations and duties the spouses have under the marriage. This includes dividing marital property (sin somros), child custody and if there is any, financial alimony.

A divorce in Thailand can be effected either by a judgment of a court or by a mutual consent from both spouses. Both of these methods are effected by the competent official at the district office (amphur) and require both of the spouses to be present and sign off on the terms of the divorce.

If the divorce is effected by a judge in court it will be considered a contested divorce and will typically be much more expensive. This can also require more court appearances and representation by a Thai lawyer.

Contested divorces can be difficult to resolve and will typically take a lot longer, more money and a lot of court work. This is why it is recommended to seek expert divorce advice from a qualified Thai divorce lawyer as soon as possible to reduce the stress and costs associated with a divorce.

The main grounds for divorce in Thailand are listed under section 1516 of the Civil and Commercial Code. If you have these grounds you can seek a divorce by suing for separation and dissolution of the marriage in court.

You can also seek a divorce if you have lived apart from your spouse for more than one year. This is known as “desertion”.

If you have children, it is usually best to get them involved in the divorce process from the very beginning. This can protect their interests and avoid any future conflicts later down the line.

Your property is divided equally between you and your spouse upon a divorce in Thailand. This will include your jointly owned property and assets (sin somros) as well as any debts that you have incurred during the marriage.

The law states that the division of marital property should be fair and equal, but this can be a difficult issue to resolve if there is disagreement. The laws in Thailand state that any assets acquired during the marriage are considered joint owned property (sin somros) and subject to equitable distribution by a judge if there is any dispute over who gets what.

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Marriage in Thailand

by with No Comment Family

Marriage in Thailand is a very special occasion. This is a time for two people to pledge their love and commitment to each other, so it’s important that they follow the right procedures and comply with the country’s laws.

The first step to getting married in Thailand is to obtain an affidavit from your home embassy in Bangkok that states that you are free to marry. You should then take this to a translation agency in the area and have it translated into Thai.

Once you have these documents, you can visit your local district office, also known as an amphur or khet in Thai, to register your marriage. Both parties should have not been previously married at the time of the registration. If one partner has been divorced, he or she must have a court order allowing him or her to get married again.

If the couple is a foreigner, then they should provide their passports and copies of their visas to the registrar. They also need an affidavit from their embassy stating that they are both free to get married, which is called an “affirmation of freedom to marry.”

This affidavit needs to be notarized on site by the embassy and then certified by the Consular Affairs Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once this is done, the marriage will be officially registered in your area and will be recognized by both countries.

For foreigners, the procedure of marriage registration in Thailand is much easier than for Thai citizens. There are fewer requirements and steps involved, which means you can be more focused on planning the wedding.

The wedding will be held in a church or other religious venue, but it can also be held in a hotel or in a small Thai village. The ceremony is generally performed by a Buddhist monk or an elder who will ask the couple to sit together and fold their hands in a prayer position.

After this, the couple will receive blessings and advice from the priest or elders in front of them. They will then be given a shell to represent the new family. They will be poured holy water over their hands and they will be asked to join together as a husband and wife.

During the ceremony, the couple can also receive gifts from their parents and family members. These can include money, gold, and jewelry. These are typically considered to be symbolic gifts, though they may also be a sign of gratitude for the new family’s good fortune and support.

When the ceremony is over, the couple will be married and their wedding certificate will be issued. This certificate can be used to legally marry in other countries.

Another important aspect of marriage in Thailand is that it must be arranged at a ‘amphur’ or ‘khet’, which are the district offices in each city and province. There are a few different types of amphur, and each has different rules and regulations.

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How to Prepare a Prenuptial Agreement in Thailand

by with No Comment Family

A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract that is signed by spouses before they get married. It is a very useful document for people who have substantial assets and properties, and wish to control the division of those assets upon divorce.

In Thailand, prenuptial agreements are regulated by the Thai Civil and Commercial Code and must meet certain requirements before they can be considered valid. These include that the prenuptial must be drafted and signed before the marriage takes place, and that it must be entered into the marriage register along with the registration of the marriage. It must also be made in writing, and signed by both parties, and at least two witnesses.

Having a prenuptial can reduce the financial and emotional toll of a divorce, and it helps couples avoid significant disputes when it comes time to divide their assets. In addition, a well-written prenup can help prevent future legal disputes that may cost a lot of money in attorney fees.

How to Prepare a Prenuptial Agreement in Thailand
To draft a prenuptial in Thailand, it is advisable to have the help of an experienced Thai family lawyer or a solicitor who is familiar with both your home country and Thailand law. Such a professional can ensure that your prenuptial agreement will be legally-enforceable.

It is crucial to get a proper prenuptial in Thailand that will protect you from losing your assets in case of divorce. These can be anything from real estate, investments, and other assets.

The most important thing to remember about a prenuptial in Thailand is that it must be enforceable by the court. If it is not, then the entire agreement will be null and void. This is especially true if it contains terms that are not in accordance with good morals under Thai law.

Having a prenup is also a great way to ensure that your property goes to your children and grandchildren when you die. This can be particularly beneficial to those who have a large inheritance that they want to leave to their heirs.

A prenup can be extremely beneficial to anyone who is planning a marriage, and it’s a must for every couple who wants to have peace of mind. It will make the whole process of getting married easier and more affordable by avoiding the expense of a divorce in the future.

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Grounds For Divorce in Thailand

by with No Comment Family

Grounds for divorce in Thailand are not as straightforward as many people think. The Thai legal system is quite unique and dissimilar to other Common Law jurisdictions, such as the US or UK or even continental Europe. Nevertheless, there are many grounds for divorce in Thailand which can be used to end a marriage.

Divorce by mutual consent (Uncontested or Administrative divorce process) – This method of divorce is applicable in Thailand if both spouses agree to end the marriage and divorce. This divorce is a fast and affordable procedure which is also less stressful on both parties, their children, and the families.

You can file for an uncontested divorce at the district office in your city or town and register it on one day. However, it is recommended to have a lawyer with you at all times in case the documentation needs to be prepared before you can register it.

This type of divorce requires that you have registered your marriage in Thailand and it takes effect as soon as the district office receives all required documents. If the marriage was registered in another country, the divorce can be registered in that country too but you should check with your local immigration officer whether this is possible before you proceed to register it.

In some cases, the courts in other countries may recognize a Thai divorce decree but it is largely dependent on the laws of that country. In particular, it depends on the divorce grounds and also if the judgment is based upon any of the twelve grounds for divorce in Thailand.

The following are some of the grounds for divorce in Thailand:
a) Desertion, abandonment and voluntary separation for more than a year
This is a ground for divorce in Thailand which applies when one spouse leaves the other in Thailand without permission and without notice for more than a year. The person seeking the divorce must be able to show that he or she has been physically and mentally absent from the other for more than a year.

b) Impotency or infertility of the other spouse
This ground for divorce in Thailand is based on the inability of the other spouse to become pregnant or have children. It is a ground for divorce in Thailand that is particularly relevant to couples with children.

c) Illness or accident of the other spouse
This is another ground for divorce in Thailand and is based on the other spouse being seriously ill or injured in a way that prevents him or her from working or sustaining an income.

d) Physical disadvantage of the other spouse
This grounds for divorce in Thailand is based on the other spouse having a physical handicap so that it would be impossible for him or her to work or live as a husband and wife.

e) Retaliation of the other spouse against him or her by the latter
This is one of the most popular grounds for divorce in Thailand and it has been the basis of countless claims for divorce throughout the history of Thailand. This ground for divorce in Thailand has been especially popular with foreigners who have lived and worked in Thailand for a period of time.