Inheritance Lawyer in Israel
Inheritance and succession law in Israel governs how estates are distributed, rights are transferred, and disputes are resolved — whether the deceased left a will or died intestate. Eliyahu & Co. provides full legal representation in all succession matters, for residents of Israel and family members living abroad.
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.
- Succession Order: Filing for tzav yerusha when there is no will
- Probate of a Will: Filing for tzav kiyum to validate the will
- Property Transfer: Registering inherited real estate at Tabu
- Dispute Resolution: Representing heirs in contested estate proceedings
What Does an Inheritance Lawyer in Israel Handle?
Succession law in Israel is more complex than it appears. Even a straightforward estate can involve questions of real estate registration, disputed rights among heirs, Israeli Tabu transfers, tax obligations, or the validity of a foreign will. When a cross-border dimension is added — heirs living abroad, Israeli property held by a non-resident, or a foreign will purporting to govern Israeli assets — the legal complexity increases significantly.
Eliyahu & Co. is a civil and commercial law firm with over 19 years of experience, licensed by the Israel Bar Association. Inheritance and succession matters are a core area of the firm's practice. Adv. Reut Eliyahu manages all estate matters personally — clients receive direct, senior-level legal involvement at every stage.
For families abroad dealing with an Israeli estate, this personal approach removes the uncertainty of navigating an unfamiliar system from a distance. We communicate in English, handle all proceedings with the Israeli authorities on your behalf, and coordinate with overseas legal advisors where needed. Beyond inheritance, our firm handles real estate law, civil litigation, and corporate and business matters — all areas that frequently intersect with estate proceedings.
The essential numbers and legal references that every heir, beneficiary, and family should know before navigating an Israeli estate.
Inheritance & Succession Legal Services — Full Scope
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. See also our full Areas of Practice.
Succession Order (Tzav Yerusha)
When a person dies without a valid will, their estate is distributed according to the Israeli Succession Law (5725-1965). A succession order (tzav yerusha) is the official legal document that identifies the heirs and their shares. Obtaining it requires filing an application to the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs, publishing a notice, and waiting for the statutory period. We manage the full process — preparation of documents, filing, follow-up, and final issuance.
Read more →Probate of a Will (Tzav Kiyum)
When the deceased left a will, a probate order (tzav kiyum tzava'a) is required to give it legal force. The process involves submitting the will to the Registrar, publication, and a 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 before the Family Court — including cases involving foreign wills relating to Israeli assets.
Read more →Inheritance Disputes & Litigation
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 to wills, claims of undue influence or lack of capacity, disputes over estate administration, and co-heir disagreements over property.
Inheritance disputes page →Transfer of Inherited Property
Once a succession order or probate order is issued, inherited real estate must be formally transferred at the Land Registry (Tabu) or Israel Land Authority. This involves additional steps — tax clearance, registration fees, and coordination between multiple heirs where needed. We handle the full transfer process following the issuance of succession orders, ensuring clean registration of title in the heirs' names. This work frequently links with our property registration practice and real estate services.
Wills & Estate Planning
A properly drafted will is the most reliable way to ensure your estate is distributed according to your wishes. Under Israeli law, wills must meet strict formal requirements — oral, handwritten, witnessed, or notarized. We draft wills for Israeli residents and for non-residents with Israeli assets, advise on the interaction between Israeli and foreign law for cross-border estates, and assist with registration of wills with the Registrar of Wills at the Ministry of Justice.
Read more →Cross-Border & International Estates
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 which legal system governs. We represent overseas families in Israeli inheritance proceedings, coordinate with foreign counsel where needed, and handle the full Israeli process remotely — including Power of Attorney arrangements so clients need not travel to Israel. See our foreign legal opinion service.
Succession Order vs. Probate Order — Quick Comparison
| Succession Order (No Will) | Probate Order (Has Will) | |
|---|---|---|
| When required | Deceased died intestate | Deceased left a valid will |
| Who determines heirs | Succession Law (5725-1965) | The will itself |
| Hebrew name | Tzav Yerusha | Tzav Kiyum Tzava'a |
| 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 | Transferred to Family Court (12+ months) |
How the Israeli Inheritance Process Works — Step by Step
From the initial assessment of the estate through the final transfer of assets to the heirs — these are the six stages of a typical Israeli succession or probate matter.
Initial Assessment & Document Gathering
We review the death certificate, identify all heirs, locate any existing will, and inventory the deceased's Israeli assets — real estate, bank accounts, securities, and personal property. For overseas clients, this stage is handled by email and video call. We also confirm whether a Succession Order or a Probate Order is the appropriate route.
Power of Attorney & Authorization
For overseas heirs, a Power of Attorney is prepared in English, executed before a local notary, and (where required) apostilled. This document authorizes our firm to handle the entire Israeli process — filings, communications with authorities, and asset transfers — without the client needing to travel to Israel.
Filing the Application
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 list of heirs. A notice is then published, opening a statutory window during which objections may be filed.
Publication Period & Handling Objections
During the publication period, any interested party 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.
Receiving the Order & Tax Clearance
Once issued, the Succession or Probate Order is the official 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.
Asset Transfer & Final Registration
With the order and tax clearance in hand, we transfer all assets to the heirs: real estate registered at the Land Registry (Tabu) or Israel Land Authority, bank accounts released, securities transferred, and any other property formally retitled. Where heirs wish to divide a property among themselves, we draft and register a partition agreement.
Inheritance in Israel for Foreign Heirs — Country-Specific Guidance
We regularly represent heirs and families across the diaspora in Israeli inheritance proceedings. Every jurisdiction interacts with Israeli law differently — here is what to know if you are based in one of the countries we work with most often.
🇺🇸 Inheritance Lawyer in Israel for Americans
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 notary and apostilled. 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.
🇬🇧 Inheritance Lawyer in Israel for UK Residents
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, 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 and executed before a UK notary public, then apostilled by the FCDO for use in Israel. No travel to Israel is required.
🇫🇷 Inheritance Lawyer in Israel for French Citizens
The Franco-Israeli connection runs deep — many French families hold property in Israel, particularly in Netanya, Tel Aviv, and Herzliya. We represent French clients in Israeli estate proceedings and routinely coordinate with French notaires on cross-border estates. Our firm handles foreign legal opinions where the French civil law system creates particular questions for Israeli courts, drafts wills that work in both jurisdictions, and manages property transfers at the Israeli Land Registry. We work with French-speaking colleagues for clients who prefer French-language communications.
🇨🇦 Inheritance Lawyer in Israel for Canadians
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 in Canada. 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). Where the deceased was a Canadian resident with Israeli assets, we coordinate with Canadian estate counsel and file the Israeli proceedings independently.
🌍 Worldwide Service — Other Countries
We have represented heirs from Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, 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, we are familiar with the documentation requirements for most countries. The entire process can be handled in English, by email and video call, with no travel to Israel required.
Experienced Israeli Inheritance Lawyers — Serving Residents and Families Abroad
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.
How Much Does an Inheritance Lawyer Cost in Israel?
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 fee quote after the initial consultation, before any work begins. No surprises.
Adv. Reut Eliyahu
Founder & Managing Attorney | 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 licensed member of the Israel Bar Association since 2007, 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 relevant 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 their case in detail.
The firm is based in Herzliya Pituach and serves clients across Israel and internationally — with extensive experience representing heirs from the US, UK, France, Canada, and the broader Jewish diaspora. Our full practice scope covers all areas of civil and commercial law in Israel.
📍 Most clients arrive by referral from previous clients. The first consultation is free and without obligation.
Who Comes to Us for Inheritance Legal Services in Israel?
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from clients who trusted us with their legal matters in Israel. Rated 5.0 ★ with 117 verified Google reviews.
Inheritance Law in Israel — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions we receive from Israeli residents and overseas families about inheritance and succession law in Israel.
Get in Touch — Free First Consultation
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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.
Do you have an inheritance matter in Israel?
Free first consultation — no obligation, no fee.
We will review the estate, identify the risks, and plan the next steps together — succession order, probate, or property transfer.