Hait Family Law Representation with Compassion and Support

Hait Family Law, Family Law Attorney in Israel Providing Compassionate Legal Services to Clients

Family law can be a complex area of the law. If you are going through a divorce, child custody battle, inheritance disagreement, or any other legal situation involving family members, hiring a knowledgeable and experienced attorney is vital. Hait Family Law will help you carefully weigh your legal options, and we will fight for your rights in court whenever necessary. In some situations, we can assist clients in reaching resolutions in their cases that require no or minimal input from the court, saving them time, money, and stress.

We also know the importance of good planning when it comes to preventing legal disputes in the first place. We enjoy helping clients create estate plans, wills, prenups, and other essential legal documents that can provide protection and stability for them and their families in the future. Contact Hait Family Law today to schedule a complimentary case evaluation and learn how we can serve you: [Israel] 077-200-8161.

Our Services
Our Services
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Why Would I Need a Family Law Attorney?

Everyone loves their families, but sometimes legal issues arise, and you need an advocate who can help you handle the situation firmly but tactfully. This is where family law attorneys excel. A family law attorney thoroughly understands the relevant laws and can provide you with the information and advice you require to make an informed decision regarding your legal matter. If tensions are high and your issue requires an agreement with the other side, an experienced attorney can help de-escalate the situation and serve as a mediator to help you come to an agreement without the need for a long and costly court battle. If your case does have to go to court, your lawyer can help you decide which court is the best option (if you have a choice) and will ensure all your documents are in order so they can present the best possible case to the judge(s).

Client Success Stories

What Do I Need to Know About the Israeli Court System?

Israel has two parallel court systems for family law issues: the civil court, which rules using secular law, and the religious courts, which rule based on religious law. Religious courts exist for all the major religious groups recognized by the state. For Jews, the religious court is known as the Rabbinic Court. The religious courts mainly rule on matters such as marriage and divorce. Jewish couples seeking a divorce must receive their official divorce document, known as a GET, through a ceremony performed in the Rabbinic Court, or they are still legally married. The other aspects of a divorce, including custody and child support, can be handled by either court, and your choice of court may impact the outcome. It is important to note that a professional judge or judges will hand down the ruling in your case, as Israeli law has no jury system.

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Meet The Attorney
Hait Family Attorney
Meet The Attorney
Jay Hait
Managing Attorney

Jay’s mission is to change the dynamic of the way people are represented and treated by their attorneys throughout the legal process.

He believes that family is the most important institution we have and does everything he can to protect his clients and their families no matter what their legal issues are.

Jay has been practicing law in the U.S. and Israel for over twenty years and is licensed in Israel and New York. He is also a licensed mediator. He made Aliyah with his family in 2004 and maintained his Securities practice in New York, by flying back and forth between the two countries.

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What Issues Should I Consider if I'm Thinking About Divorce?

Many emotions can accompany the breakdown of a marriage, and you should carefully consider the details of your divorce before making any rash decisions. The four issues that must be addressed during almost every divorce are the division of marital assets, child custody, child support, and the GET. An experienced family law attorney is able to help you to deal with all of these issues - whether by representing you in both the Family court and the Rabbinical court, as relevant.

If you are uncertain whether a divorce is the right answer for your problems, Hait Family Law can help you look into other methods of resolving your issues. For example, some clients have had success in repairing their marriage through counseling, therapy, or mediation. Another useful legal option is a "reconciliation or in the alternative divorce" agreement. This agreement lays out the conditions which must be met for the couple to stay together and outlines the details of the divorce agreement that will occur if the couple cannot reconcile. Creating this document allows couples to identify problems and work on solutions without actually divorcing. If this doesn't help the situation, then the divorce is fast and easy because the terms have already been agreed upon.

Why Choose Hait Family Law?

  • Respect and empathy for your experiences and situationAttorney Jay Hait understands the difficulties of navigating Israeli law as an Anglo. He has dealt with his own divorce and custody battle that involved both US and Israeli courts. He also helped his parents make Aliyah and saw the challenges they faced as older people moving to Israel. These experiences inspired the creation of Hait Family Law, as he wished to provide compassionate help to others in the same situations.
  • Emphasis on educationWe believe in providing our clients with the information they need to make an informed decision about their legal options. When applicable, we will connect you with local resources and discuss alternatives to legal action, so you fully understand all the choices available to you.
  • Clear communicationAt Hait Family Law, English is our first language. We can clearly and succinctly explain Israeli legal concepts and other important information you need to know that may be in Hebrew. We also value open, honest communication and will take the time to listen to your questions and concerns.
  • Deep understanding of both Western and Israeli lawWe have extensive experience in both civil and religious courts. We can explain what to expect from the different legal processes, how they may interact with court proceedings in the US, and how Israeli law differs from Western law.
  • Tailored, personal legal solutionsEvery client comes into our office with unique experiences, perspectives, and goals. We aim to learn as much as possible about these subjects so we can build and execute a legal strategy that is right for your needs.
  • Multiple options for appointmentsWe offer a wide variety of ways for clients to meet with us. You can email us or call 972 77-200-8161 to schedule a complimentary case evaluation. These evaluations take up to one half hour, and when you are finished with the evaluation you will have a much clearer picture about what your options are. Our law firm is located 4 minutes away from Kiryat Sefer Park, 5 minutes from Meir Park, and approximately a 19-minute drive from Ben Gurion Airport (TLV).

How Can Language Be a Barrier in Israeli Legal Proceedings?

Knowledge of Hebrew is not required to live a happy life in Israel. There are many thriving Anglo communities throughout Israel where speaking Hebrew is not a necessity. However, official government documents and some court proceedings are in Hebrew. It can quickly become challenging to navigate the unfamiliar legal system on your own if you are not fluent, or even if you are. If the language is causing you difficulties, don't hesitate to contact Hait Family Law today. We can explain important legal concepts or help you file necessary documents so that you can settle your legal matters.

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Latest Articles & Insights
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What Special Legal Challenges Do Anglo-Jewish Immigrants Face?

Individuals who have relocated to Israel from the US have their own unique legal needs, whether they have made Aliyah, moved here to marry an Israeli citizen, or are here for study or work. One major issue, particularly for older Anglo immigrants, is estate and healthcare planning. The documents required to build an estate plan in Israel differ from the ones you likely had created in the US, and many of your previous documents will not be valid here. You should reevaluate your plan with a lawyer after your move to ensure it still meets your needs.

As an American-Israeli lawyer who has helped his own parents make Aliyah, Jay Hait fully understands the stress and difficulty of adjusting to a new country and culture in your advanced years. Due to his experiences, he is committed to compassionately helping the Anglo-Jewish community with their legal needs.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Israel-based lawyer help me if I am in a foreign country and my ex-spouse has kidnapped my child to Israel?

A situation like this is every parent's worst nightmare. If your child has been kidnapped to Israel, you will need the assistance of an Israeli lawyer with experience in Hague cases. The Hague Convention provides a legal mechanism for recovering kidnapped children, but time is of the essence in these cases. Contact our law office immediately, and we can begin the legal process in an Israeli court and notify the appropriate authorities in your home country of the situation.

Are there legal methods to avoid the possibility of becoming an agunah (chained wife)?

Under Jewish law, a divorce requires a ceremony, and both sides must agree to it through a document called a GET. Many people have heard the stories of women (and occasionally men) whose spouse has refused to give them a GET, effectively forcing them to remain married. This unfortunate situation can be prevented - or at least partially remedied - via the proper use of particular prenup or post-nup clauses.

Is a secular marriage possible in Israel?

No. If you are getting married within Israel, your marriage must be sanctioned by one of the religious courts. That being said, Israel does recognize marriage licenses from other countries. If you are ineligible for marriage in the religious system, or if you just don't want a religious marriage ceremony, you may choose to get married in another country and present the paperwork to the Israeli government to secure your married status. Please note that if both spouses are Jewish and you elect to get married abroad, in the event of divorce you will still have to do part of the process through the Rabbinic courts.

Do Israeli courts award spousal support (alimony) after a divorce?

One significant difference between a divorce in the US and in Israel is that Israeli courts do not order a husband to pay alimony to his ex-wife. Once a divorce is finalized, the ex-husband is no longer considered responsible for the financial welfare of his ex-wife. The only way alimony might be paid is if the couple negotiated it on their own as part of a prenup or divorce agreement, or if the court orders "rehabilitative support" which, in the rare instances given, are for very short periods and very low amounts.

Do I have to go to court-ordered mediation?

Divorce can be messy and complicated, and the thought of having to meet with your soon-to-be ex-spouse may be anxiety-producing, particularly if the relationship was abusive. However, the current legal system in Israel requires you to attend at least one mediation session if you have not come to an agreement directly with your spouse. In the event that you do go through the full mediation process, your lawyer will be in the mediation to protect your best interests. They can provide a buffer between you and your ex so you can feel more comfortable with the process.

Does an older child have any say in Israeli custody proceedings?

Many considerations go into a judge's decision on child custody. If a child is old enough to articulate a reasonable opinion on where they would prefer to live and why, the court may weigh that information in their determination. The child's best interests are paramount in custody agreements, so it is crucial for their voice to be heard if they are old enough.

If a wife was not involved in the household's financial decisions, will she receive any of the marital assets after a divorce?

Sometimes, women are nervous that they will not be able to survive if they divorce their husbands because they have no money or property of their own. However, the law is clear that all assets accumulated during the marriage should be divided equally between the spouses by the court. A wife will still receive her fair share, even if she was a stay-at-home mother or her husband handled all financial matters.

What should I consider when choosing a family law attorney?

When hiring any professional, it is important to look at their qualifications. Do they have experience handling legal issues similar to yours? Do they have a good reputation? Another key consideration is whether you feel comfortable with them and their legal strategies. We highly recommend taking advantage of a complimentary case evaluation where you can discuss your issue, get their opinion, and talk about fees and timelines for your case. Following this meeting, you will have a better sense of whether the lawyer is right for your needs.

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