Wills and Inheritances

Taking care of the future of your loved ones

The field of wills and inheritances is designed to regulate the transfer of property and assets after a person’s death while addressing personal, familial, and legal needs. Through careful and proper planning, family disputes can be prevented, the rights of the heirs protected, and your personal wishes fully respected.

Drafting a Will

A will is a legally binding document whose purpose is to regulate the distribution of an estate after a person’s death. Our firm specializes in drafting clear and precise wills tailored to the specific needs of each client. We ensure that the will is drafted in a manner that prevents future disputes and guarantees that the rights of all involved parties are preserved.

Legal Requirements for the Validity of a Will

For a will to be legally valid, it must comply with the requirements of the law in accordance with the Inheritance Law, 1965. The law recognizes four main types of wills:

Holographic Will:
The will is entirely handwritten by the testator, bearing the date of its composition and their signature. This type of will does not require witnesses, but it is more vulnerable to challenges regarding its validity—especially if doubts arise concerning the authenticity of the handwriting.
Witnessed Will:
The will is prepared in writing, bears the date of its composition, and is signed in the presence of two adult witnesses who have no interest in the will. These witnesses confirm the testator’s signature with their own. This is the most common type of will and is considered legally secure.
Will Before an Authority:
The testator declares their will before an authorized official, such as a judge, registrar, or notary. The testator’s statements are recorded and documented. This type of will attains a high degree of validity due to the legal oversight during its execution.
Oral Will (Bedside Will):
This will is given orally in the presence of two witnesses when the testator is on their deathbed or in a condition that justifies it. The witnesses must prepare a memorandum and deposit it with the Registrar of Inheritance Matters as soon as possible. This type of will is valid only if the testator passes away shortly after its declaration.
Will in Accordance with Jewish Law:
For clients who wish to regulate the distribution of their estate in accordance with the principles of Jewish law, we offer the drafting of wills that comply with Halakhic standards while also meeting the requirements of civil law. This solution allows for the preservation of the testator’s wishes while adhering to the legal standards in Israel.

Depositing the Will with the Registrar

After drafting the will, we provide guidance in depositing it with the Registrar of Inheritance Matters. Depositing the will ensures that the document is kept in a secure location and facilitates the heirs in locating the will when necessary.

Will Probate Order
In cases where it is necessary to execute a will, our firm assists the client in the process of submitting an application for a will probate order. We handle all the bureaucratic and legal aspects to ensure an efficient and swift process while protecting the rights of the heirs.

Procedure for Issuing a Will Probate Order
To execute a will, an application for a will probate order must be submitted to the Registrar of Inheritance Matters. This process includes the following steps:

Submitting the Application:
Attach the original will, the death certificate, and any other relevant documents to the application.
Publication of a Notice in a Newspaper:
A notice regarding the submission of the application must be published to allow interested parties to submit any objections.
Review of the Application:
If no objections are submitted, the Registrar will review the application and issue the order. In cases where objections are raised, the matter is referred to the Family Court.

What Happens in the Absence of a Will?
When a person dies without leaving a will, the distribution of the estate will be carried out according to the provisions of the Inheritance Law. In such a case:

Statutory Inheritance:
The Inheritance Law determines the order of succession and the relative shares of the heirs, usually based on familial closeness.
Application for an Inheritance Order:
An application for an inheritance order must be submitted to the Registrar of Inheritance Matters, serving as formal recognition of the heirs’ status and their rights.

Why Choose Us?
We understand the importance of personal and professional handling of wills and inheritances. Our firm provides services based on sensitivity, discretion, and a deep understanding of the law. Our goal is to offer our clients peace of mind, knowing that their legal and financial future—as well as that of their loved ones—is in capable hands.