A situation we see every week: a relative passed away in Israel. There is an apartment, a bank account, other assets. The bank froze the account until a succession order is presented. The entire state system runs in Hebrew. And you are in New York, London or Toronto — spending months in Israel is simply not an option.
The good news: you do not need to board a plane. The entire procedure — from filing the application to wiring the funds to your account abroad — is handled remotely through an Israeli lawyer. Below is the full process, the documents and the official government fees, with no embellishment.
Why you cannot "just file online yourself": the online system of Israel's Registrar of Inheritance Affairs operates in Hebrew only, and online filing requires Israeli national identification tied to an Israeli ID card (teudat zehut). For an heir without Israeli documents, the practical route runs through an Israeli lawyer holding your power of attorney. That is not our marketing — it is how the state system is built.
Step 1. Determine which order you need — and which law applies
Israel issues two kinds of orders:
- A succession order (tsav yerusha) — when the deceased left no will. Distribution follows Israel's Succession Law.
- A probate order (tsav kiyum tzava'a) — when there is a will.
A detail many families miss: if the deceased was habitually resident outside Israel, the law of their last country of residence generally governs the estate. The application must then include a legal opinion on the applicable foreign law — a document prepared by a qualified jurist. Without it, the application simply does not move.
Step 2. Gather the documents — in your own country
- Death certificate (original or certified copy; mandatory when the deceased had no Israeli ID)
- Apostille on foreign official documents
- Notarized Hebrew translation of every document written in a language other than Hebrew or English (an official Registrar requirement)
- The will — original or certified copy (if one exists)
- Details of all heirs and proof that each was notified of the application
- For a deceased who lived abroad: the foreign-law opinion and a list of the assets located in Israel
Step 3. Sign a power of attorney — near your home
You sign a power of attorney for the Israeli lawyer at an Israeli consulate in your country or before a local notary (with an apostille). We prepare the document in advance — you only show up and sign. From that moment, everything in Israel happens without you.
Not sure which documents your specific case requires? Describe it in one message — a lawyer (not a bot) will answer personally and point you to the right list, free of charge.
Ask on WhatsAppStep 4. Filing and the official government fees
The lawyer files the application with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs. The official state fees (as of 2026, per Israel's public information portal "Kol Zchut"; these are government fees, not legal fees):
| Fee | Online filing | Paper filing |
|---|---|---|
| Opening the case at the Registrar | ILS 507 | ILS 597 |
| Publication costs | ILS 66 | ILS 66 |
Attorney's fees are agreed separately and fixed in a written engagement agreement before any work begins.
Step 5. Publication and review
The Registrar publishes a notice that the application was filed, so that potential objectors can come forward within the period set by law. The application is also reviewed by the representative of the Attorney General. If no objection is filed and the file is complete, the matter stays with the Registrar. If an objection arrives or special circumstances exist, the case moves to the Family Court — where your lawyer represents you as well, still without you flying in.
Step 6. Order issued — releasing and transferring the assets
Once the order is issued (electronically, with an apostille if you need to use it abroad), the lawyer:
- presents the order to the banks — frozen accounts are released;
- re-registers real estate at the Tabu (land registry) in the heirs' names;
- if the heirs wish — manages the sale of the property and the division between heirs;
- wires the funds due to you to your account abroad.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the procedure take?
It depends on how complete the documents are, whether a foreign-law opinion is required, and whether objections are filed. Straightforward files move faster; contested ones go to court. At the first consultation we give a realistic estimate for your specific case.
I don't know what assets were left in Israel. Can they be located?
Yes. Holding your power of attorney, the lawyer runs an asset search: inquiries with banks, a land-registry check, and a check of unclaimed assets held by the Administrator General.
We are several heirs in different countries. Is that a problem?
No. Each heir signs a power of attorney wherever they live. An heir can also renounce their share (histalkut) in favor of another heir, by a separate declaration.
The will is not in Hebrew. Is it valid?
A foreign will can be recognized in Israel, subject to requirements: a notarized Hebrew translation (if it is in neither Hebrew nor English), and — where foreign law applies — the corresponding legal opinion. This is one of the most common points where applications stall without a lawyer.
Do you have an inheritance matter in Israel? The first step takes two minutes: tell us what happened and which country you live in. A lawyer of the company will answer you personally — in English.
WhatsApp — Fast Reply CallThis material is general information, reflects the position as of its update date, and does not constitute legal advice. Government fees and procedures are set by the State of Israel and may change; current amounts appear on the official resources of the Ministry of Justice. Your specific situation requires an individual consultation.