Handling an Israeli Inheritance When You Live Abroad

First, a word to families

Dealing with an estate while grieving is hard, and harder still from another country. The good news is that Israeli inheritance procedures are well suited to remote handling. Most of the work is document-based, applications can be filed online, and an Israeli lawyer can act for you with a power of attorney. This guide walks you through the main steps so you know what to expect.

Inheritance order or probate order?

Inheritance order (tzav yerusha)

If the deceased left no will, the estate is divided according to the Israeli Succession Law, and the heirs apply for an inheritance order that states who the heirs are and their shares.

Probate order (tzav kiyum tzava'a)

If there is a will, the heirs or beneficiaries apply for a probate order, which gives the will legal effect. The original will is usually required.

Both are issued by the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs. If someone files an objection, or the case raises certain legal questions, the file may be transferred to the Family Court (or, in some cases, a religious court, with the parties' consent). Without either order, Israeli banks, the Land Registry and other institutions generally won't release or transfer assets.

Before you apply: the deceased's Israeli records

If the deceased was an Israeli citizen or resident who died abroad, the death usually needs to be recorded in the Israeli Population Registry before an application can be filed. Israeli government guidance explains how this is done. If the deceased had no Israeli identity number, a death certificate from the country where the death occurred is generally submitted instead – with an apostille or legalisation, and a translation where needed.

Step by step: applying from abroad

1. Gather the basic information. The deceased's details, the date and place of death, the family tree (spouse, children, parents, siblings, as relevant) and, if there is one, the original will.
2. Give a power of attorney. If you want an Israeli lawyer to apply and represent you, you'll sign a power of attorney abroad – at an Israeli consulate, or before a local notary with an apostille. See how to sign an Israeli POA abroad.
3. Prepare foreign documents. Certificates from abroad (death, marriage or birth) usually need an apostille or legalisation. Our apostille directory shows the competent authority in many countries.
4. File the application. The application is submitted to the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs, usually online, with the supporting documents and the fee.
5. Notice and publication. The Registrar's procedures include notifying the relevant parties and publishing the application, so that anyone with an objection can come forward.
6. The order is issued. If there are no objections or problems, the Registrar issues the order. The official service also lets you request an apostille on the order, which helps if you need to use it abroad.
7. Use the order. Close or transfer bank accounts, register the inheritance at the Land Registry and deal with other assets.

After the order: banks, property and other assets

Bank accounts

Each Israeli bank has its own procedure for releasing funds to heirs. They usually ask for the order, identification of the heirs and their own forms. Heirs abroad often authorise a lawyer to handle this.

Real estate

An inherited apartment registered at the Land Registry stays in the deceased's name until the inheritance is registered. Registration is a separate step and generally involves a tax declaration. If you intend to sell, see how to sell property in Israel from abroad.

Pensions, insurance and other assets

Pension funds, provident funds, insurance policies and securities each have their own claims process. Some pay named beneficiaries directly; others require the order.

Documents heirs abroad typically need

• Identification for each heir (passport, and Israeli ID number if any)
• A death certificate – Israeli, or foreign with an apostille or legalisation
• Documents proving family relationships, if they are not in Israeli records
• The original will, if there is one
• A power of attorney for your Israeli lawyer
• Translations of foreign documents, where required

The exact list depends on the case. We'll give you a personal list after reviewing the details.

Several heirs in several countries

It's common for heirs to live in different countries. Each one may need to sign documents – a power of attorney, a consent or an affidavit – in their own country. That means different consulates, different notaries and different apostille authorities. Coordinating this early, with one clear checklist per heir, avoids weeks of back-and-forth. If one heir prefers to waive their share or transfer it to someone else, that has its own formal requirements and should be planned with a lawyer.

What affects how long it takes

We don't publish fixed timeframes, because they depend on the case and on official processing times that change. In our experience, the main factors are:

• how quickly foreign documents can be obtained and apostilled in the heirs' countries;
• whether the deceased's death is already recorded in Israeli records;
• the number of heirs and how many of them need to sign documents abroad;
• whether there is a will, and whether anyone objects to it;
• missing information that the Registrar asks to complete.

Preparing a complete file at the start is the single most effective way to avoid delays.

How we work with heirs abroad

After an initial consultation, we send each heir a short checklist and a draft power of attorney, with signing instructions for their country. We review every document before it is filed, keep the family updated in writing and, once the order is issued, continue with the bank, the Land Registry or the sale if needed. Read more about how our remote process works.

Common pitfalls

• Forgetting an heir. Under the Succession Law, the heirs are determined by law if there's no will. Leaving someone out can lead to objections and delays.
• Using a copy of the will. The original is normally required.
• Foreign documents without an apostille. They may be rejected.
• Assuming a foreign probate grant works in Israel. Israeli institutions generally need an Israeli order for assets in Israel. Get advice on your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• Inheritance or probate order – official service (English)
• Inheritance or probate order – official service (Hebrew)
• Registrar of Inheritance Affairs – online services and file search
• Ministry of Justice
• HCCH – Apostille Convention status table

About the author: Adv. & Notary Rachel Shachar is an Israeli lawyer (Israel Bar license no. 43884) and notary who has run her own office since 2004 and works with many clients who live abroad.

Please note: this page gives general information about Israeli powers of attorney. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Requirements can change and can differ between institutions, so we always confirm the details for your specific case.