Should you have a separate Israeli Will?

If you own a property, have funds in a bank account or own other assets in Israel, these will pass more  efficiently and quickly to your heirs if you have a separate Israeli will, for the following reasons:

  1. Foreign wills are usually complex and contain trusts and other tax planning structures which serve a purpose in your country of residence but which may not be effective in Israel. As a result, it can be much quicker and simpler to get probate of a simple will covering only property in Israel. Death is not a taxable event in Israel and there is currently no inheritance or estate tax.
  2. Identification here is by number and not by name and so it is extremely important to have a will which identifies you by the number with which you are registered as the owner of your Israeli property (usually passport numbers for non-Israeli citizens).If you make Aliyah (take up Israeli citizenship)  at any future date, we strongly suggest that all assets are re-registered with their Israeli ID numbers and that the wills are updated to refer to this number for identification purposes.
  3. The probate registry has a discretion to accept documents in English but they are less likely to do so if the will is long and complex.
  4. The Israeli court will not appoint executors who are not resident in Israel so you may wish to provide for separate executors here.
  5. An original will is required for probate here and in the absence of this, a specific application must be made to allow a copy to be submitted.

Rebecca Wolman
Real Estate, Renovation and Design

Rebecca is a licensed broker and an interior designer who has been advising on purchasing property in Israel since 2004. With her creative and commercial approach, she has her finger firmly on the pulse of the Tel Aviv Jaffa property market and knows exactly where to find the best homes and investments. She fully understands the expectations of foreign buyers, finding and selecting properties that meet their requirements, whilst calmly guiding clients through the potentially daunting process of buying a property in Israel.

Naomi Chanoch
Property Management, Rentals and Concierge

Naomi has been managing client properties since 2008 and has built up a substantial portfolio of clients in a wide variety of property types. With a flair for design and attention to detail, Naomi takes care to ensure that every aspect, however small, is attended to and that no request is too large. Her team of conscientious, trustworthy and dedicated staff aim to guarantee that your property is maintained to the highest standards and your stay is always pleasurable. We also provide a short-term letting service that can rent out your property, and we can source a suitable rental property should you or your friends require it.

Caroline Walsh
Legal Services

Caroline is an Israeli lawyer and an English solicitor and her firm specialises in real estate and private client services. Over the last 20 years, Caroline has represented both Israeli and international clients in connection with their properties in Israel and has assisted them with navigating the legal and bureaucratic complexities of the Israeli system. Caroline can advise on all aspects of property transactions including buying, selling, renting, wills and inheritance.