Heirs and families worldwide: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · France · Australia · Germany · Switzerland · South Africa · Belgium · and across the diaspora.
An inheritance lawyer in Israel handles the full legal process from death through final distribution of the estate. Under the Succession Law (5725-1965), every estate requires either a Succession Order (tzav yerusha) when there is no will, or a Probate Order (tzav kiyum tzava'a) when a will exists. Israel imposes no inheritance tax. The entire process can be handled remotely for overseas heirs via Power of Attorney.
Eliyahu & Co. Law Office is a boutique Israeli law firm with a long-standing focus on inheritance and succession matters at every scale - from a single inherited apartment in Tel Aviv through to complex multi-jurisdictional estates involving real estate, business interests, Israeli securities, and beneficiaries scattered across multiple countries. Over 19+ years of practice, the firm has handled hundreds of succession and probate proceedings, contested estates before the Family Court, and cross-border matters where Israeli inheritance law intersects with the law of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, and beyond.
Our specialization covers every dimension of Israeli succession law: applications for succession orders (tzav yerusha) before the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs, probate of Israeli and foreign wills (tzav kiyum tzava'a), will drafting for Israeli residents and non-residents with Israeli assets, contested estate proceedings before the Family Court, transfer of inherited property at the Land Registry (Tabu) and Israel Land Authority, coordination with the Israel Tax Authority for tax clearance, foreign legal opinions on Israeli inheritance law for use in overseas courts, and the specialized handling required for inherited Israeli securities and trustee-held shares. The work operates under the framework of the Succession Law (5725-1965), alongside the Land Law, the Spouses' Property Relations Law, and the procedural rules of the Family Court.
The firm is led by Adv. Reut Eliyahu, founding attorney and licensed Israeli notary, who holds an LL.B and an MBA with Marketing Specialization, has been a member of the Israel Bar Association since 2007 (License No. 47439), and is also a registered arbitrator. The combination of legal training, formal notarial authority, business administration credentials, and 19+ years of direct practice in cross-border Israeli matters allows the firm to handle every dimension of an estate matter in-house: legal strategy, document preparation, notarization of overseas Powers of Attorney, court filings, tax coordination, and final property registration. Adv. Eliyahu handles each estate personally - from the initial consultation through to the final distribution of assets - providing the continuity that overseas families value most.
Israeli inheritance matters arise from many different family situations - some routine, some highly complex. Each scenario requires its own legal approach. Below are the most common patterns we handle for both Israeli residents and overseas families.
Families living in Israel managing an estate after the death of a parent or spouse - obtaining a succession or probate order, dealing with inherited real estate, releasing bank accounts and securities, and ensuring assets are properly transferred to the heirs.
Heirs and family members in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere who have inherited Israeli property, bank accounts, or shares - and need an English-speaking Israeli lawyer to manage the entire process from abroad, without traveling to Israel.
Individuals - residents and non-residents - who wish to draft a valid Israeli will, plan the distribution of their estate, coordinate Israeli and foreign wills for cross-border situations, or ensure that an existing will meets Israeli legal requirements.
Heirs challenging a will on grounds of capacity, undue influence, or forgery; beneficiaries disputing asset distribution; co-heirs in disagreement over property; and parties involved in contested estate administration proceedings before the Family Court.
Estates where the deceased was a non-resident with Israeli assets, where Israeli heirs are entitled to foreign property, or where a foreign will purports to govern Israeli assets. Often requires a foreign legal opinion alongside the Israeli proceedings.
Heirs who discover that the deceased held Israeli shares, bonds, or trustee-managed securities - often in dormant accounts at Israeli trustee companies. We coordinate the succession order with the securities transfer or sale. See our dedicated page on selling Israeli shares for foreign shareholders.
The legal framework governing Israeli inheritance and succession is well-established. These are the core statutory references and practical numbers every heir, beneficiary, and family should know before navigating an Israeli estate.
Israeli inheritance tax - Abolished in 1981. No estate duty applies to the transfer from deceased to heirs.
Routine uncontested order - Typical timeline for a succession or probate order, Israeli resident deceased.
Overseas deceased - Typical timeline when the deceased lived abroad or the heirs are non-residents.
Succession Law (5725-1965) - Governs cross-border estates and the application of foreign law to Israeli assets.
Israeli Succession Law - The principal statute governing intestate succession, wills, and estate administration.
Contested matters - Estates contested before the Family Court typically take a year or more to resolve.
Free initial consultation - by email, phone, or Zoom - to assess the estate, identify any complications, and plan the next steps. No obligation.
We handle the full range of inheritance and estate matters in Israel - from routine succession orders through to complex contested estates and cross-border proceedings involving multiple jurisdictions. See also our complete Areas of Practice.
When a person dies without a valid will, their estate is distributed according to the Israeli Succession Law (5725-1965). The succession order identifies the heirs and their shares. We manage the full process - document preparation, filing with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs, publication, follow-up, and final issuance of the order.
Read more →When the deceased left a will, a probate order gives it legal force. The process involves submitting the will to the Registrar, publication, and a statutory waiting period during which the will may be contested. We prepare and file probate applications, respond to objections, and represent clients in contested probate proceedings.
Read more →Disputes among heirs are common - over the validity of a will, the entitlement of particular beneficiaries, the conduct of an estate administrator, or the valuation and division of specific assets. We represent clients in inheritance disputes before the Family Court, including challenges based on capacity, undue influence, or forgery.
Inheritance disputes →Once a succession or probate order is issued, inherited real estate must be formally transferred at the Land Registry (Tabu) or Israel Land Authority. This involves tax clearance, registration fees, and coordination between multiple heirs where needed. We handle the full transfer process, ensuring clean registration of title in the heirs' names.
Property registration →A properly drafted will is the most reliable way to ensure your estate is distributed according to your wishes. We draft wills for Israeli residents and for non-residents with Israeli assets, advise on the interaction between Israeli and foreign law, and assist with registration at the Registrar of Wills.
Read more →When a non-resident dies leaving Israeli assets, or when Israeli heirs are entitled to foreign property, the legal process spans two or more jurisdictions. Israeli courts apply conflict-of-laws principles to determine governing law. We coordinate with foreign counsel and handle the full Israeli process remotely.
Foreign legal opinion →Estates that include Israeli shares, bonds, or trustee-managed securities require specialized handling alongside the succession process. We coordinate the succession order with the securities transfer or sale - including for shares held at Resnick Paz Nevo, IBI Trust, and other Israeli trustees.
Selling Israeli shares →Expert legal opinions on Israeli inheritance, securities, and corporate law for use in foreign courts and authorities. Required for cross-border probate proceedings, court applications, and administrative matters in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe.
Read more →In-house notarial certification of Powers of Attorney, apostille processing for documents going abroad, certified translations between Hebrew and English - all handled within the firm to streamline cross-border estate transactions.
Read more →The two main legal instruments in Israeli inheritance proceedings serve different situations. The right choice depends on whether the deceased left a valid will - and the process for each follows a distinct path.
| Succession Order (No Will) | Probate Order (Has Will) | |
|---|---|---|
| When required | Deceased died intestate (no valid will) | Deceased left a valid will |
| Hebrew name | Tzav Yerusha (צו ירושה) | Tzav Kiyum Tzava'a (צו קיום צוואה) |
| Who determines heirs | Succession Law (5725-1965) | The will itself |
| Filed with | Registrar of Inheritance Affairs | Registrar of Inheritance Affairs |
| Timeline (Israeli resident) | 3-4 months (uncontested) | 3-4 months (uncontested) |
| Timeline (overseas deceased) | 4-6 months | 4-6 months |
| If contested | Transferred to Family Court (12+ months) | Transferred to Family Court (12+ months) |
| Foreign will involved | Not applicable | May require foreign legal opinion |
Every estate matter follows a clear, sequenced process. From the initial assessment of the estate through to the final transfer of assets to the heirs - these are the six stages of a typical Israeli succession or probate matter.
Free consultation by email, phone, or Zoom. We review the death certificate, identify all heirs, locate any existing will, and inventory the deceased's Israeli assets - real estate, bank accounts, securities, mutual fund units, and personal property. At this stage we confirm whether a Succession Order or a Probate Order is the appropriate route, and identify any cross-border complications early.
For overseas heirs, a customized Power of Attorney is drafted in English and executed before a local notary in the heir's country of residence, then apostilled (or authenticated, depending on jurisdiction) and sent to our firm in Israel. This document authorizes us to handle the entire Israeli process - filings, court appearances, communications with authorities, and final asset transfers - without the heirs needing to travel to Israel. We provide detailed country-specific instructions for proper execution.
We prepare and file the application for a Succession Order or Probate Order with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs. The application includes the death certificate, supporting documents, the will (if any), and a verified list of heirs. A formal notice is then published in the Official Gazette and a daily newspaper, opening a statutory window during which any interested party may file an objection.
During the publication period, any interested party - a potential heir, a creditor, or a person claiming under a different will - may file an objection. If no objection is filed and the application is in order, the order is issued. If an objection is filed, the matter is transferred to the Family Court for adjudication - at which point we represent our client in contested proceedings, including witness examinations, expert reports, and court hearings.
Once issued, the Succession or Probate Order is the official Israeli legal document confirming the heirs and their shares. For real estate transfers, we obtain tax clearance from the Israel Tax Authority - confirming that no outstanding tax liability blocks the transfer. Since Israel has no inheritance tax, this stage is procedural rather than substantive in most cases.
With the order and tax clearance in hand, we transfer all assets to the heirs: real estate is formally registered at the Land Registry (Tabu) or Israel Land Authority in the heirs' names, bank accounts are released, securities are transferred or sold, and any other property is formally retitled. Where the heirs wish to divide a property among themselves, we draft and register a partition agreement. Where Israeli shares need to be liquidated and proceeds sent abroad, see our process for selling Israeli shares for foreign shareholders.
We represent heirs and beneficiaries living anywhere in the world in Israeli inheritance proceedings - by Zoom, email, and notarized Power of Attorney with Apostille. Services in English, Hebrew, and Spanish. No travel to Israel required.
The Israeli inheritance process is largely the same regardless of where the heir resides - what changes is the procedure for executing the Power of Attorney and the apostille requirements in each jurisdiction. Click on your country below to see how we work with heirs in your jurisdiction.
New York · Los Angeles · Miami · Florida · New Jersey · California · Chicago · Boston · Washington DC · Texas
We handle Israeli estate matters for clients across the United States - from New York and New Jersey through Florida, California, and beyond. Common scenarios include U.S. citizens inheriting Israeli property from an Israeli relative, dual nationals with assets in both countries, and Americans named as beneficiaries in an Israeli will.
The Israeli process is handled entirely through Power of Attorney, with documents executed before a local U.S. notary and apostilled by the relevant State Secretary. Coordination with U.S. estate counsel is straightforward - we are accustomed to working alongside American attorneys on cross-border estates and providing English-language documentation throughout the process. Our U.S. direct line (+1-310-735-4210) provides convenient access during U.S. business hours.
London · Manchester · Birmingham · Leeds · Edinburgh · Glasgow · Cardiff · Belfast · all UK
British clients with Israeli inheritance matters often face questions about how an English will interacts with Israeli law - particularly when the deceased held Israeli real estate. We advise on the validity of UK wills in Israel under Section 137 of the Succession Law (5725-1965), file probate applications based on foreign wills, and handle the full Israeli process for UK-resident heirs.
Power of Attorney documents are prepared in English, executed before a UK notary public, then apostilled by the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) for use in Israel. No travel to Israel is required. Where the estate also involves Israeli securities or shares held with Israeli trustees, we coordinate the inheritance with the securities transfer in a single engagement.
Toronto · Montreal · Vancouver · Calgary · Ottawa · Edmonton · Winnipeg · Quebec City · all Canada
Canadian heirs frequently encounter Israeli inheritance matters - whether through Israeli relatives, dual citizenship, or property held in Israel. We handle the entire Israeli process remotely from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and elsewhere across Canada. The legal proceedings - filing of succession or probate orders, communication with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs, tax clearance, and Tabu registration - are all managed by our firm on the heirs' behalf.
Power of Attorney documents are executed before a Canadian notary or lawyer and apostilled or authenticated under the appropriate Canadian procedures (the rules differ by province - Quebec under civil law, Ontario and BC under common law). Where the deceased was a Canadian resident with Israeli assets, we coordinate with Canadian estate counsel for the dual-jurisdiction aspects.
Paris · Marseille · Lyon · Nice · Toulouse · Bordeaux · Strasbourg · Lille · all France
The Franco-Israeli connection runs deep - many French families hold property in Israel, particularly in Netanya, Tel Aviv, Herzliya, and Ashdod. We represent French clients in Israeli estate proceedings and routinely coordinate with French notaires on cross-border estates. The interaction between the French civil law system (with its forced heirship rules under reserve héréditaire) and Israeli succession law often creates particular questions for Israeli courts.
Our firm handles foreign legal opinions on French law for Israeli courts, drafts wills that work in both jurisdictions (carefully navigating the French Civil Code restrictions), and manages property transfers at the Israeli Land Registry (Tabu). We work with French-speaking colleagues for clients who prefer French-language communications.
Sydney · Melbourne · Brisbane · Perth · Adelaide · Canberra · Gold Coast · all Australia
Australian residents inheriting Israeli assets benefit from a straightforward apostille process under the Apostille Convention. We handle the full Israeli proceedings for clients in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and across Australia - including coordination with Australian probate counsel where the deceased held property in both jurisdictions.
Time-zone differences (8-10 hours ahead of Israel) are managed through email and asynchronous communication, ensuring smooth progress without requiring late-night phone calls. The Israeli process - succession order or probate, tax clearance, and final asset transfer - typically takes 4-6 months for matters involving Australian heirs.
São Paulo · Rio de Janeiro · Brasília · Salvador · Belo Horizonte · all Brazil
Israelis and Brazilian heirs with Israeli property, inheritance, or wills. We handle remote succession orders, real estate transfers at Tabu, dissolution of co-ownership, and Brazilian legal opinions for Israeli courts. The Brazilian-Israeli community has a long history, and inheritance matters often involve real estate in Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, Bat Yam, or Netanya passed down across generations.
Services available in Hebrew and Spanish (and English). Power of Attorney is executed before a Brazilian notary (tabelião) and apostilled - Brazil is a signatory to the Apostille Convention since 2016, which streamlines the process considerably.
Buenos Aires · Córdoba · Rosario · Mendoza · all Argentina
Argentine heirs and Israelis in Argentina with inheritance matters in Israel. Remote proceedings managed end-to-end - succession orders, real estate transfers, dissolution of co-ownership, international inheritance, and Argentine legal opinions for Israeli courts. The Jewish community in Argentina is one of the largest in the diaspora, and Israeli inheritance matters arise frequently across generations.
Services in Hebrew and Spanish provide direct communication without language barriers. Argentina is part of the Apostille Convention, so Powers of Attorney executed before an Argentine notary are recognized in Israel through standard apostille procedures.
Moscow · Saint Petersburg · Kyiv · Odesa · Kharkiv · all Russia & Ukraine
Israelis in Russia and Ukraine with Israeli inheritance, property, or wills. Remote proceedings - real estate transactions, dissolution of co-ownership, international inheritance, and Russian or Ukrainian legal opinions for Israeli courts. The Russian-speaking community is one of the largest immigrant groups in Israel, and inheritance matters often involve former Soviet citizens with Israeli property or vice versa.
Document execution and authentication procedures differ depending on the current diplomatic situation - we provide tailored guidance on the appropriate notarization and authentication route at the start of each engagement, ensuring documents are properly executed the first time.
Lisbon · Porto · Coimbra · Faro · all Portugal
Portuguese residents and Israelis in Portugal with Israeli inheritance matters. Remote handling of succession orders, real estate transfers, dissolution of co-ownership, international inheritance, and Portuguese legal opinions for Israeli courts. Portugal has become a popular destination for Israelis seeking EU residency, particularly through Sephardic citizenship programs, creating a growing community with cross-jurisdictional legal needs.
Services in Hebrew and Spanish (Portuguese-speaking colleagues available for technical legal communications). Portugal is a longstanding signatory to the Apostille Convention, which simplifies document authentication considerably.
South Africa · Germany · Switzerland · Belgium · Netherlands · Spain · Italy · Mexico · Uruguay · Moldova · and more
We have represented heirs from across the diaspora - South Africa, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Uruguay, Moldova, and many other countries. The Israeli inheritance process is largely the same regardless of where the heir resides - what changes is the procedure for executing the Power of Attorney and the apostille requirements in each jurisdiction.
After 19+ years of cross-border practice, we are familiar with the documentation requirements for every major jurisdiction. Contact us with the country of residence and we will assess the documentation requirements together, provide country-specific instructions for the Power of Attorney, and outline a realistic timeline for the full process.
Free initial consultation. No obligation. Available by email, phone, or Zoom - at your convenience across time zones. Most clients arrive by direct referral.
Inheritance matters are often handled during the most difficult periods in a family's life. Our approach combines legal precision with clear, plain-English communication - giving clients the clarity they need to make decisions with confidence.
Adv. Reut Eliyahu handles each estate personally - from first consultation through final distribution. No transfers to junior staff. Clients always know who is handling their case and how to reach them.
Adv. Eliyahu is a licensed Israeli notary. Notarial documentation can be issued in-house - saving time and coordination on cross-border documents that require notarial certification or translation.
We regularly represent overseas heirs in Israeli proceedings - in English, with full remote capability. Clients in the US, UK, France, Canada, Australia, and across the diaspora resolve Israeli estates without traveling to Israel.
From the succession order through to final Tabu registration in the heirs' names - we handle the complete process. No need to engage a separate real estate lawyer for the property transfer stage.
Inheritance and succession matters are a core practice area for our firm - not a peripheral service. Each engagement draws on direct prior experience with similar estates, with deep familiarity in the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs and Family Court practice.
Direct WhatsApp, email, and phone access. No call-center buffers. Overseas heirs coordinating across time zones value this directly - questions get answered in hours, not days.
Fees depend on the complexity of the estate - the number of assets, the number of heirs, whether the matter is contested, and whether real estate is involved. We provide a clear written fee quote after the initial free consultation, before any work begins. No surprises.
Fixed fee for routine, uncontested applications. Includes preparation of documents, filing with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs, follow-up, and obtaining the final order.
Hourly or retainer-based. Contested wills, heir disputes, and Family Court proceedings are quoted individually based on scope and complexity of the matter.
Transferring inherited real estate at Tabu following a succession order is a separate, fixed-fee service. Combined engagements are offered at a preferential rate.
Fixed fee for drafting and registering a will. Cross-border or complex multi-asset wills are quoted after an initial review of the client's situation.
Founding Attorney & Notary · Eliyahu & Co. Law Office
Adv. Reut Eliyahu founded Eliyahu & Co. as a firm specializing in inheritance and succession matters at every scale - from a single inherited apartment through to complex multi-jurisdictional estates involving real estate, business interests, and beneficiaries across multiple countries. A member of the Israel Bar Association since 2007 (License No. 47439), with 19+ years in practice, she holds LL.B and MBA degrees and is a registered notary and arbitrator.
The firm's inheritance practice covers every aspect of Israeli succession law: succession orders, probate of Israeli and foreign wills, will drafting for residents and non-residents, contested estate proceedings before the Family Court, transfer of inherited property at the Land Registry (Tabu) and Israel Land Authority, tax planning around inherited assets, and coordination with foreign counsel on cross-border estates. The firm works under the framework of the Succession Law (5725-1965), alongside the Land Law, the Spouses' Property Relations Law, and the procedural rules of the Family Court.
Reut handles inheritance matters personally - from the initial consultation through to the final distribution of assets. Clients never find themselves explaining their situation repeatedly to different staff members. This continuity is particularly valued by overseas families, who cannot visit the office and depend on a single, reliable point of contact who knows the case in detail. Beyond inheritance, the firm's full practice covers Israeli real estate law, corporate and business law, sale of Israeli shares for foreign shareholders, foreign legal opinions on Israeli law, and notarial and apostille services.
The firm is based in Herzliya Pituach and serves clients across Israel and internationally - with extensive experience representing heirs from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, and the broader Jewish diaspora. Most engagements arrive by direct referral from previous clients.
📍 The first consultation is free and without obligation.
Answers to the most common questions we receive from Israeli residents and overseas families about inheritance and succession law in Israel.
Tell us briefly about the Israeli inheritance matter - whether the deceased left a will, where the heirs are based, and any documentation you have. We will get back to you within one business day. The first consultation is free and without obligation.
You can also read more about selling Israeli shares for foreign shareholders, foreign legal opinion on Israeli law, notary and apostille services, and Israeli real estate law.
4 HaOgen Street, Herzliya Pituach, Israel
Sun - Thu: 08:00 - 19:00
Fri: 08:00 - 13:00
(Israel Time)
English · Hebrew
Succession orders, probate, will drafting, property transfer, inherited securities - one conversation can clarify everything. Free first consultation, no obligation.
Sun-Thu 08:00-19:00 · Fri 08:00-13:00 · In office, by Zoom, or remotely worldwide