Two devastating mistakes: (1) Not hiring their own lawyer—thinking "we agree on everything" or "lawyers are too expensive." That "expensive" lawyer costs a fraction of what you'll lose by signing a bad agreement. (2) Listening to advice from people who don't know Israeli family law—your friend who got divorced in New York (irrelevant), your cousin in London (different system), your neighbor who "knows someone" (potentially disastrous), Facebook groups (unverified and often wrong), or articles you read online (may be outdated). The only advice that matters comes from an attorney who specializes in Israeli family law

The four critical factors for Jewish spouses are: the Jewish Writ of Divorce (Get), Child Support, Child Custody (including visitation), and the Division of Assets and Debts.

The divorce itself—the granting of the Get—can only be processed in the Rabbinic Court (Bet Din). Other issues like child support, custody, and asset division can be heard in either the Rabbinic Court or the Family Court.

File first if you can. Whoever files first generally chooses which court hears your case, tells their story first to the judge, and sets the tone for proceedings. Strategic court selection can significantly impact outcomes.

This legal requirement mandates that the filing spouse first submit a Bakasha LaYashev Sichsuch (Motion to Settle Differences). This initiates a 60-day "freeze" during which neither party can file a lawsuit, and the couple is invited to meet with a court-appointed social worker for evaluation and recommendations.

Yes. For Jewish couples, as long as both spouses are considered Jewish by Jewish law, the Rabbinic Court mandates the Get process to formally end the marriage, even if they were married in a secular ceremony abroad.

Divorce via agreement is highly recommended. It offers greater flexibility, allowing couples to create customized arrangements that a judge or Dayan (Rabbinic Judge) would not typically order in a judgment. Litigation means fighting it out in court with less control over outcomes.

The standard division is a 50-50 split of assets and debts acquired during marriage. However, courts may deviate from this if one party can prove the other is hiding assets or has engaged in financial misconduct.

Generally, there is no alimony after a divorce is finalized in Israel. The husband's obligation to support the wife exists only during the marriage. Rehabilitative alimony for a short, defined period is a rare exception.

Leaving Israel with your minor children without a court order is considered child kidnapping under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. If taken to a Hague Convention member country, children may be forcibly returned, and the parent who left could lose custody. This applies before AND after divorce.

Open your own bank account at a different bank. Gather financial documents from the last 3-5 years. Document all assets and debts. Start a divorce notebook. Get a private email address. Consult an attorney. DON'T empty joint accounts, make false allegations, move out without legal advice, or post about your marriage on social media.

You MUST have your own lawyer—non-negotiable. Even if you agree on everything, one lawyer cannot represent both parties. What seems fair might not be legally fair. Divorce agreements become binding court orders with virtually no do-over. Fixing mistakes later costs far more than hiring your own lawyer initially—if mistakes can be fixed at all.