Good day to Die??

[Dodger]

Now I have no intention of dying by choice and it is not a particularly nice subject to consider but it was something that just occurred to me yesterday. So off I went down to see my solicitor to ask her “what happens to my cash and material goods here, if I was to die?”

It turns out similar to the UK in that after 45 days from my expiration my money and goods would be available to my heir, which would be my eldest son. However in reality this would most likely take longer than 45 days and also he would have to come to Thailand in person, prove who he was and then find ways of disposing of my material goods. But also the question then arises what about my tirak?, well she is entitled to absolutely nothing.

So the solution for myself, firstly was to go to the bank and cancel my current bank accounts and commence new ones in mine and also Duncan’s name, couldn’t just add him to my account here, had to start new accounts. Next off to the solicitors to make out a will, copies to the UK for my own solicitor there to be able to link the wills, this gives instructions as to how I wish to dispose of my chattels and lastly I arranged for an insurance person to come and see me to arrange some life cover payable to Tirak.

After doing all this it occurred to me that this is not just an Expat problem but also a BM one, as who will continue your sponsorship monies in the event of your death, your gf may still need monthly income to care for her children, your children or at least to get back on her feet. Obviously this only applies to a BM whose girlfriend is financially dependant on him and has quit working etc, but this must apply to quite a few, just thought I would share my thoughts

[Mabus]

That's why I intend to marry my tirak in a legal Thai binding marriage, even adopt her little daughter. I want to know that they will be taken care of even after my demise.

I have no children of my own so things are a bit easier in my situation.
An extra life insurance is worth considering though.

Good post.

[sqd]

When I die, I want to go peacefully, like my grandfather did - in his sleep. Not screaming, like the passengers in his car did.

That was too tempting!

[LivinLOS]

Yeah also dont assume a will and testament made out overseas is legally binding here.. It isnt..

My arrangments are complex.. So I have made my brother legally the part / joint owner of all my assets.. He also knows that spinner should get a bit but only a low 6 figure number tops (lets face it enough for Thailand) and only on drip as she wouldnt know what to do with the lot..

The problem gets remembering where everything is.. Brokers, accounts, offshore places, hidden stuff.. Gone to such lengths to hide it from governments its a worry that anyone else would be able to track it all down. Also it moves about a bit depending on my investments so again keeping bro in the loop is something again I need to remember.

[Mav]

When l die l'm taking all my money with me....in my cofffin....no cnuts getting it

[K2]

Originally Posted by Mav

When l die l'm taking all my money with me....in my cofffin....no cnuts getting it

Your gonna have a very happy undertaker!

[aussie dollar]

think this problem can occur in any country,in oz after 12 months in
de facto relationship (living together as husband and wife-ie sleeping in same bed)it is seen legally as being married the girl gets the lot.




Lock it up in black and white and dont trust anyone

[sierradelta]

Originally Posted by sqd

When I die, I want to go peacefully, like my grandfather did - in his sleep. Not screaming, like the passengers in his car did.

That was too tempting!

I'd prefer to be - shot in the back by a jealous husband.

[steveski]

This is slightly different but reinforces what Dodger says. I met a girl the other week in Thai whose tirak had died about 6 months previous. It was a medical problem and he had a bit of warning so not a car accident or anything sudden. His family had asked him to come back to his native country but he said that he wanted to die in Thai and it sounded like he had become a Buddhist.
He had been living with the tirak in question for 7 years but they had never married.
When the guys daughter and brother came over the daughter went to the bank and took all the money out that was in the fathers account, the brother sold a near new motor bike that was in the guys name, and he kept the money and they tried to pressure the TG to sell the house. Also tried to sell other things from the house that they thought were of value. The house had been signed over to her so at least she got that.
The person who died had said that he wanted the body to remain in the temple for 14 days (why my thought about becoming Buddhist) but the brother had said that one day was enough, the compromise was 4 days.
It would appear that the TG had virtually no rights or entitlements irrelevant that they had lived together for 7 years. She was also left to pay for the cremation etc.
If what I was told was true, the guy had obviously decided to die where and with who he was happy but obviously the family did not care about his wishes.
The TG was told she would need 100,000 baht for a solicitor if she wanted to stop the family through court action, money she did not have and I guess most people really might not be up for that sort of hassle just after some one that they had been living with for 7 years had just died.
She did not say whether a will was maid out.

She did not tell me this and then hit me up for money (never asked me for anything) so I don’t think that it was a scam story, but as you know in Thai you never know.
The experienced BMs may know if this sounds right or sounds like a scam story. As she was not a BG and did not ask me for anything I was inclined to believe her.
From my personal experiences with family members dieing I have been amazed at how family members and relatives carry on when money is involved, even small amounts.

[cotambear]

Originally Posted by Mav

When l die l'm taking all my money with me....in my cofffin....no cnuts getting it

tell me where your burial site is. just so I can pay my respects, like.

[Denver]

But I don't want to die!

[Denver]

Joking apart, a good post Dodger and a subject not everyone gives a great deal of thought too. Gnerally one of those 'things' that get put on the back burner and never seem to be gotten round to! Hope the poor bugger in Pats on the motorbike who was shot on Wednesday had got all his ducks in a row.

My first will was made out (Compulsory) prior to the Falklands Conflict for obvious reasons. Three copies made, one for me, one for safe keeping at the bank with my account and one for my executor. Obviously on my divorce I re-visited my will with a view to making sure she got nothing and that the kids I now had would benefit of my worldly goods on my kicking the proverbial bucket!

Likewise here in Iraq now. I have quite a substantial Company insurance on my life as well as my own policy with an American Insurance company. My contract with this company with regard to benefits payable on my death is with my solicitor in the UK and forms part of my will. My kids are probably hoping I drive through an ambush tomorrow as potentially they will be loaded. (After Tax of course!)

IMHO and in agreement with Bernie, it is best to consider getting this done and dusted. Instead of it nagging away at the back of your mind, consult the experts and ensure you have dotted the i's and crossed the t's on your life. Your family will thank you for it as it will save them alot of trouble.

I already have my casket, I'm sleeping in it tonight! Spooky eh?

[Mac]

Maing a will at any stage in your life is a good idea. But it has to be properly executed... I do not think that greedy selfish relatives are the unique preserve of Falangs in Thailand!

I remember when my Aunty Dot died. Her relatives are all really very wealthy. Her combined assets were something like £13,000.... I remember trugging up from London to South Wales for the funeral and then the reading of the will over which my uncle Will, the executor, (no pun intended) presided.

The only thing my mother wanted from her Aunt was the old back room table. Worth about £20.. My father asked uncle Will where it was and he said it was "lost". We then insisted on repairing to Uncle Wills shack for tea. And sure enough the table was standing proud in his dining room.

My father, brother and I retrieved the table, strapped it to the roof of our car and have never spoken to Uncle Will again. The table is now in our shed.

The moral of this tale. Do not make a relative an executor. Just use a trusted friend and a solicitor.

Mac

[swiftdave]

My grandfather passed away last year and before he died he set up an estate planner at the bank. They took almost 5% of the proceeds but in the end it was well worth it. All of his investments, savings, GIC's etc were tracked and the bank worked the long term investments so they payed out maximum. They executed the will and handled all of the details. They were also able to pay out installments before the will was probated so that all of the money wasn't tied up forever.

Knowing him, he'd be glad to know I didn't spend it foolishly, I went to LOS and spent it on booze and women. Wish he could have come!!

[FlyFree]

Originally Posted by Mav

When l die l'm taking all my money with me....in my cofffin....no cnuts getting it

Why not organise the most degenerate wake ever with that money.....

And invite me

[IRISH JONNY]

Originally Posted by Mav

When l die l'm taking all my money with me....in my cofffin....no cnuts getting it

IM GONNA MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS SPENT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cotambear]

I know someone who died of a viagra overdose
They had a hell of a job getting the coffin lid down

I`ll get my coat....

[marc26]

the money was a small amount, but just annoying:

growing up, my family did not have much money at all
i think my mom brought home 250-300usd/wk

as she got older and sick, i took care of her financially, even though i had 6 older brother and sisters. oh well, it was my pleasure to do it
anyways, my mom took out a small life insurance policy from her credit card, maybe 15k usd.
when my mom died figured id use the life insurance money to pay for her services. well my sister got a notice and never replied so the policy lapsed and i had to pay for the services. with none of my siblings helping. that was frustrating

[nelsonone]

Originally Posted by marc26

the money was a small amount, but just annoying:

growing up, my family did not have much money at all
i think my mom brought home 250-300usd/wk

as she got older and sick, i took care of her financially, even though i had 6 older brother and sisters. oh well, it was my pleasure to do it
anyways, my mom took out a small life insurance policy from her credit card, maybe 15k usd.
when my mom died figured id use the life insurance money to pay for her services. well my sister got a notice and never replied so the policy lapsed and i had to pay for the services. with none of my siblings helping. that was frustrating

As they say M26............you can't choose your relatives ..........just gotta put up with 'em ...........if you ask me you have take the best approach....do it yerself....... and forget 'em if they won't help....it is you that has to sleep at the end of the day....it's bizaar how some people can sleep at night!!!

[Denver]

There's no pockets in shrouds! You're a long time dead! I don't know what I am talking about!

But yes, leaving it to a relative to deal with your chatals and spare change in your shorts pockets when you puncture your inflatable footwear can be a right pain in the backside!

I will not willingly be an executor of anyones will ever again if I can help it. Did it once and never again. I was never a diplomat and it can be quite a shock to find out just how callous some people can be! That's just my lot! Can't vouch for everyone.

God, I'm lonely!

[visa2003]

After having a major heart attack, 2 of my sisters stood at the foot of my bed, just before I went in for a bypass that no-one thought I would survive, and asked me if I had made arangements to pay for my funeral! Even the nurses in the the room at the time walked out in disgust. Needless to say I have not had much to do with those sisters since. And now I am determined to spend every cent on booze and women before I go!