Why Suwan Counsel
What you get when you work with us — and why it matters.
Focused expertise, plain communication, and a clear sense of what things will cost before they begin. These are the things families tell us they most needed.
← Return HomeCore Advantages
Six things that define how we work
Each of these reflects a deliberate choice about what kind of practice Suwan Counsel should be. None of them are incidental.
Inheritance-only focus
We handle wills, estate planning, and probate — and nothing else. That specific focus means we know this ground thoroughly, not in general terms.
- Deep familiarity with Thai inheritance law
- Chiang Mai Land Office procedures
- Northern circuit court experience
Fixed, written fees
Every service comes with a clear written fee outline before work begins. Clients know exactly what they are committing to, with no open-ended billing.
- Will review from ฿4,500
- Estate planning from ฿10,100
- Probate support from ฿17,400
English and Thai
All consultations and documentation are available in both English and Thai. We work with many mixed-nationality families and expatriate clients.
- Thai and English documentation
- Bilingual consultations
- Suitable for expatriate families
Strict confidentiality
Every matter is handled privately. We follow Thai Bar Association professional standards on client confidentiality throughout and beyond the engagement.
- Fully private consultations
- Secure document handling
- No disclosure without consent
Personal, unhurried attention
Appointments are given the time they need. We do not manage high volumes of clients — each engagement receives direct personal attention from our senior counsel.
- Direct access to principal counsel
- No rushed appointments
- Sensitive to family circumstances
Same-day or next-day response
Enquiries and client queries are responded to within one working day. We keep communication clear and timely at every stage of a matter.
- Reliable, consistent communication
- Clear progress updates
- Prompt replies to questions
In More Detail
What each benefit means in practice
Professional expertise, in one area
Over twelve years, Suwan Counsel has handled wills, estate arrangements, and probate matters exclusively. That depth of experience in a narrow field means we encounter very few situations we have not seen before — and that we can set realistic expectations for how long things take and what they involve.
We are also familiar with the specific conditions that apply in the north of Thailand: local land office procedures, how matters move through the northern provincial courts, and the practical realities for families with mixed Thai and foreign assets.
What this means for you
- Advice based on genuine familiarity with Thai inheritance law
- No learning curve at your expense
- Realistic timelines, not optimistic estimates
- Local knowledge of Chiang Mai procedures and offices
Our fee structure
All fees agreed in writing before work begins. For probate matters, a clear cost outline is provided at each stage.
Value and transparency in pricing
Uncertainty about legal fees is one of the things families find most stressful. We have designed our pricing to remove that uncertainty. Before any engagement begins, you receive a written statement of scope and cost. There are no billable hours, no unexpected additions, and no ambiguity.
For probate and dispute matters — where scope can shift — we provide clear cost outlines at each stage, so families can make informed decisions throughout rather than discovering costs at the end.
Service built around real circumstances
Inheritance matters often arrive during difficult times — following a loss, or in the middle of a family disagreement. The tone of our practice reflects this. Appointments are calm and private. We do not rush, and we do not push clients toward decisions they are not ready to make.
We also recognise that many clients come to us with limited background knowledge of Thai law. Plain-language explanation is a core part of every consultation, not an afterthought.
Client experience commitments
- Calm, private consultation environment
- No pressure on timing or decisions
- Clear explanations at every stage
- Written confirmation of advice and next steps
- Response to queries within one working day
How We Differ
Our approach versus general legal practice
This is not a criticism of general practitioners — it is simply an honest account of what a focused inheritance practice offers that a broad-based one typically cannot.
| Area | Typical general practice | Suwan Counsel |
|---|---|---|
| Specialism | Multiple areas of law | Inheritance and estates only |
| Fee structure | Hourly billing, estimates | Fixed fees, agreed in writing |
| Language | Often Thai-only documentation | English and Thai throughout |
| Personal attention | Often passed to junior staff | Direct access to senior counsel |
| Local knowledge | General Thai law knowledge | Chiang Mai Land Office and courts |
| Communication | Variable response times | One working day response, always |
Distinctive Features
What makes this practice genuinely different
Written scope before every engagement
Before any file is opened, we set out in writing what we will do, what we will not do, and what it will cost. This is not standard practice — we believe it should be.
Suited to mixed-nationality families
We regularly work with families that include both Thai nationals and foreign residents or beneficiaries. We know where the complications typically arise and how to address them calmly.
Located in Chiang Mai's old city
Our office in Si Phum is accessible from across the city and close to the relevant courts and land offices — which is genuinely useful for estate matters where in-person visits are sometimes necessary.
Honest about what we cannot do
If a matter is outside our area of competence, we say so clearly. We would rather refer a client elsewhere than handle something poorly — and we help where we can in making that transition.
Recognition
Professional recognition and milestones
Thai Bar Association
Licensed and registered member in good standing since 2013
500+ Families
Families assisted with wills, estates, and inheritance matters since founding
Chiang Mai Legal Network
Active member and referral partner within the northern Thailand legal community
12 Years in Practice
Established in Chiang Mai, serving families continuously since 2013
Let's talk
See the difference for yourself.
An initial conversation is always welcome — no commitment, no pressure. Tell us a little about your situation and we will tell you honestly how we can help.
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