Estate Planning & Wills Attorney in Israel
Attorney-led estate planning, will drafting, probate proceedings, succession orders, and inheritance disputes in Israel — by Adv. Reut Eliyahu, licensed by the Israel Bar Association, for clients in Israel and worldwide.
What Is Estate Planning in Israel?
Estate planning in Israel covers the full range of legal steps taken to arrange for the distribution of a person's assets — both during their lifetime and upon death. It includes drafting a legally valid Israeli will, advising on succession rights, obtaining a probate order (Tzav Kiyum Tzava'a) where a will exists or a succession order (Tzav Yerusha) where there is none, handling disputes among heirs, and coordinating cross-border estate matters. Proper planning protects loved ones, prevents costly disputes, and ensures that Israeli property, bank accounts, pension rights, and business interests pass exactly as intended.
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Most people assume estate planning in Israel is something they can handle later — until they can't. A will discovered to be invalid after death. An heir blocked from accessing an Israeli bank account for two years because the wrong proceeding was filed. A family dispute over an apartment in Tel Aviv that costs more in legal fees than the property itself. These are not rare scenarios. The difference between a resolved estate and a prolonged legal battle is almost always the quality of the legal guidance at the start.
Adv. Reut Eliyahu is a licensed Israeli attorney and notary with over 20 years of focused, hands-on experience in Israeli succession, estate, and inheritance law. She is the founder of Eliyahu & Co. Law Office and the attorney who personally handles every matter at the firm — no delegation, no junior associates managing your file. Rated 5.0 ★ on Google and trusted by clients from Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Germany, Canada, and dozens of other countries, she brings legal precision and strategic depth to every matter — from straightforward will drafting to high-stakes inheritance disputes before the Family Court. The first consultation is free. Contact us today →
This page covers the full range of estate and inheritance legal services provided by the firm: will drafting under Israeli law (handwritten, witnessed, and notarial wills); obtaining a probate order (Tzav Kiyum Tzava'a) where the deceased left a valid will; obtaining a succession order (Tzav Yerusha) where no valid will exists; representing heirs in inheritance disputes and will contests before the Israeli Family Court; coordinating international estate matters for heirs or assets across multiple countries; and preparing foreign law opinions in succession matters for Israeli courts and institutions. Dedicated pages are available for the probate order, the succession order, and inheritance disputes.
💡 Related proceedings: if the deceased left a valid will, the correct route is an Application for a Probate Order in Israel. If they died without a will, the correct route is a Succession Order in Israel. For a broader overview, visit our Inheritance Lawyer in Israel page.
Comprehensive Estate & Inheritance Legal Services in Israel
Israeli estate law intersects will drafting, probate proceedings, succession orders, property registration, banking, and family relationships — often across multiple countries. Our firm provides the full spectrum of legal services in this area, so that clients who start with one question do not have to engage a new attorney at every subsequent step.
Why full-spectrum legal handling matters
Estate matters rarely stay in one lane. A client who comes in to draft a will may discover that a parent's estate still requires a succession order. An heir who obtains a probate order still needs representation before the land registry. A family dispute may surface during the publication period and require litigation. Our firm provides continuity across every stage — from planning and drafting through filing, issuance, and post-order implementation.
Attorney-led at every stage →Will Drafting in Israel
Legally valid wills prepared under Israeli law for residents and non-residents, including complex family structures, international assets, and business succession.
Read more →Probate Order in Israel
Filing and representation for the validation and enforcement of a will left by the deceased (Tzav Kiyum Tzava'a), including cross-border documentation and Registrar proceedings.
View dedicated page →Succession Order in Israel
Formal identification of heirs and estate shares where the deceased died without a valid will (Tzav Yerusha), including international heir coordination and Registrar filing.
View dedicated page →Inheritance Disputes & Will Contests
Representation in disputes over will validity, objections during the publication period, claims of undue influence or incapacity, and contested estate proceedings before Israeli courts.
View dispute representation →International Estates & Heirs Abroad
Legal coordination for estates involving heirs and assets in multiple countries, including authentication of foreign documents, apostille requirements, and remote representation.
Read more →Foreign Law Opinion in Inheritance Matters
Preparation of formal legal opinions on foreign succession and inheritance law for Israeli courts, banks, land registries, and government institutions in cross-border estate proceedings.
View foreign law opinions →Drafting a Legally Valid Will in Israel
A will is the most direct legal instrument available to protect your family and ensure that your wishes are respected. Without one, the distribution of your Israeli assets will be governed entirely by the Israeli Succession Law, 5725-1965 — a statutory framework that follows a fixed order of heirs regardless of your actual intentions. A properly drafted will avoids this uncertainty and, in most cases, substantially simplifies the process for your heirs.
At the same time, Israeli law imposes strict formal requirements on wills. Each of the four recognised forms carries its own execution rules, and failure to comply — even in minor procedural respects — can result in partial or full invalidation. Errors discovered after a testator's death cannot be corrected. This is why legal guidance at the drafting stage, rather than an attempt to validate a defective document after the fact, is the most effective way to protect your estate.
The Four Types of Will Recognised Under Israeli Law
📝 Handwritten Will (Tzava'a Biktav Yad)
Written entirely by hand and signed by the testator. No witnesses are required, but the entire document — including the date — must be in the testator's own handwriting. Any typed or printed portion is sufficient to invalidate it.
✍️ Witnessed Will (Tzava'a Befney Edim)
Signed by the testator in the simultaneous presence of two witnesses, who also sign the document. The witnesses must not be beneficiaries under the will. Strict rules govern the signing formalities and witness eligibility.
🏛 Notarial Will (Tzava'a Befney Notar)
Executed before a licensed Israeli notary, who certifies that the testator signed willingly and with full capacity. Offers the strongest legal protection against future challenges and is the recommended form for cross-border or high-value estates.
🗣 Oral Will (Tzava'a Befeh)
Permitted only when death is believed to be imminent and the testator is physically unable to write. Subject to strict evidentiary requirements and must be put into writing by witnesses within a short period of time. Limited in practice.
Who Should Draft an Israeli Will?
Any individual who owns assets registered in Israel — including real estate, bank accounts, investment portfolios, pension rights, or business shares — should have an Israeli will that specifically addresses those assets. This applies equally to Israeli residents, Israeli citizens living abroad, and foreign nationals who own property or financial assets in Israel.
Where an individual also has assets abroad, an Israeli will works alongside — rather than replacing — foreign wills governing those assets. Our firm can advise on how to structure multiple wills to avoid conflicts or unintended revocations, and on the interaction between Israeli succession law and the law of the testator's country of residence.
Common drafting mistakes that lead to will contests or invalidation:
📌 Typing a handwritten will or adding typed additions — invalidates the document.
📌 Using a witness who is also a beneficiary — creates a presumption of undue influence and may void the bequest.
📌 Failing to sign in the simultaneous presence of both witnesses — a common procedural error that renders the will voidable.
📌 Drafting a new will without properly revoking prior wills — can lead to disputes over which version governs.
📌 Vague language regarding specific assets — frequently results in post-death disputes that could easily have been avoided.
Obtaining a Probate Order or Succession Order in Israel
When a person passes away in Israel — or owned assets registered in Israel — their estate cannot be accessed, transferred, or distributed by the heirs without first obtaining one of two formal legal orders from the Israeli authorities. Understanding which order applies, and what the process requires, is the first critical step in any estate administration.
Probate Order — Tzav Kiyum Tzava'a
Applies where the deceased left a valid will. The will is submitted to the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs, published for the statutory objection period, and — if no valid objection is filed — recognised and given legal effect in Israel. The order then enables the execution of the will and the transfer of assets.
Succession Order — Tzav Yerusha
Applies where the deceased died without a valid will. The heirs and their respective shares are determined under the statutory rules of the Israeli Succession Law. The order formally identifies the heirs and is the operative document for transferring Israeli assets, including real estate, bank accounts, and pension rights.
Choosing the wrong route — or failing to identify that a prior will exists — is a surprisingly common source of delay and expense. A legal review before filing ensures the correct procedure is identified and that the application package is complete before it reaches the Registrar.
Probate Order in Israel — Dedicated Service Page
Full information on the probate process in Israel, required documents, the publication period, handling objections, and representation for heirs in Israel and abroad.
View full probate order page →Succession Order in Israel — Dedicated Service Page
Full information on succession order proceedings, the legal framework, required documentation, cross-border considerations, and attorney-led filing from Israel and abroad.
View full succession order page →Inheritance Lawyer in Israel
Broader guidance on all aspects of Israeli inheritance law, including estate administration, asset distribution, and post-order implementation steps.
View inheritance lawyer page →Inheritance Disputes and Will Contests in Israel
Inheritance proceedings do not always proceed without conflict. Family members may disagree about the validity of a will, the identity of the heirs, the assets included in the estate, or the correct interpretation of the deceased's intentions. Israeli law provides formal mechanisms for raising such disputes, and legal representation in these proceedings is essential.
An objection to a will in Israel can be filed during the publication period following the submission of a probate application. If the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs accepts the objection as raising a genuine legal question, the matter is transferred to the Family Court, where it is litigated as a contested proceeding. The grounds most commonly raised include claims of lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, forgery or fraud, and procedural defects in the will's execution.
Types of disputes our firm handles:
⚖️ Objections to probate applications filed during the publication period
⚖️ Claims of undue influence or lack of capacity at the time of signing
⚖️ Disputes over the correct identification of heirs or the scope of the estate
⚖️ Challenges to the distribution of estate assets among multiple heirs
⚖️ Claims by heirs excluded from a will under circumstances suggesting improper influence
⚖️ Cross-border disputes where heirs in different countries hold conflicting positions
For guidance on representing heirs or interested parties in contested inheritance proceedings, see our dedicated inheritance disputes in Israel page.
International Estate Matters & Heirs Abroad
A significant proportion of Israeli estate matters involve heirs, assets, or civil records located outside Israel. These cases require careful legal coordination and an understanding of how Israeli succession law interacts with the law of other jurisdictions. Our firm has extensive experience managing cross-border estate matters, and regularly represents clients in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, South America, and other regions who need to handle Israeli inheritance proceedings from abroad.
Common international estate scenarios:
🇺🇸 US-based heirs dealing with an Israeli parent's real estate, bank accounts, or pension rights
🇬🇧 UK families handling an Israeli estate remotely, including apostille and translation requirements
🌍 Multiple heirs in different countries, each requiring coordinated and consistent legal handling
🇮🇱 Israeli citizens living abroad who need an Israeli attorney for local estate proceedings
📑 Non-residents who own Israeli property and need a will or estate plan to protect it
Foreign Law Opinions in Succession Matters
Israeli courts, banks, the Israel Land Authority, and other official bodies sometimes require a formal legal opinion on foreign succession law before they can process an estate matter involving a foreign element. Adv. Reut Eliyahu prepares professional foreign law opinions in estate and inheritance matters, serving Israeli institutions that need to understand how inheritance rules in another country apply to the case before them.
For full details on this service, see the Foreign Legal Opinion page.
How Adv. Reut Eliyahu Handles Your Estate Matter
Every estate matter begins with a structured assessment. We do not believe in generic checklists sent by email. Instead, we analyse the specific family structure, the assets involved, and the legal context — and we tell you exactly what the process will require, how long it will take, and what we will handle on your behalf.
Initial Legal Assessment
We review the family structure, identify all relevant heirs, examine whether a valid will exists, and determine the correct legal route — will drafting, probate, succession order, or dispute representation. We provide a realistic picture of the process from the outset.
Document Preparation and Verification
We prepare a tailored document checklist and guide you through obtaining and validating the required materials — including death certificates, identity documents, foreign civil records, apostilles, and certified Hebrew translations where applicable.
Drafting, Filing, and Formal Representation
We draft the relevant legal document — whether a will, a probate application, or a succession order application — and file it before the correct Israeli authority together with all required supporting materials. We represent the client throughout the process.
Publication Period Monitoring and Response
In probate and succession proceedings, we monitor the statutory publication period, respond promptly to any Registrar demand, and provide legal representation if an objection is filed during this stage.
Post-Order Implementation
Once the order is issued, we assist with practical implementation steps — including property registration, bank account release, pension fund access, and coordination with Israeli institutions. The order is the legal foundation; our assistance continues until the estate is fully resolved.
Adv. Reut Eliyahu
Founder & Managing Attorney | Eliyahu & Co. Law Office
Adv. Reut Eliyahu personally handles all estate planning, will drafting, probate, and succession matters at the firm. She is a licensed Israeli attorney and notary, a member of the Israel Bar Association, and the founder of Eliyahu & Co. Law Office, established in 2007. Over more than 20 years of practice, she has guided hundreds of clients through every stage of Israeli succession and estate law — from straightforward will drafting to multi-jurisdictional inheritance disputes before the Family Court.
Her work in estate planning extends to individuals and families across Israel as well as to heirs and foreign nationals residing in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, South America, and other regions who need to address Israeli estate matters without travelling to Israel in every case. Every client receives direct involvement from Adv. Eliyahu, not delegation to junior staff.
Because estate matters frequently intersect with Israeli real estate law, civil litigation, and notarial services, the firm's broader practice in real estate law and civil litigation provides continuity for clients whose matters extend beyond the succession proceedings themselves.
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from clients who trusted us with their estate and inheritance matters in Israel. Rated 5.0 ★ on Google.
Estate Planning & Wills in Israel — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we most commonly receive from individuals, families, and international clients regarding estate planning, will drafting, probate proceedings, and inheritance law in Israel.
Get in Touch — Free First Consultation
Fill in the form and we will get back to you within one business day. Please mention whether a will exists, where the heirs are located, and what Israeli assets are part of the estate. The first consultation is free and without obligation.
HaOgen 4, Herzliya Pituach
Sun – Thu: 08:00 – 19:00
Fri: 08:00 – 13:00
Remote consultations available for overseas clients by phone or video call in English.