Family Law: Insights & Guidance

Breaking Free From Divorce Challenges in Israel: Your Path to Renewal
Divorce in Israel brings unique challenges—especially for Olim—but it also offers the chance to build a happier, more fulfilling life. The journey through divorce in

When Parents and Couples Disagree: Two Recent Family Court Lessons
Family law isn’t only about divorce and custody—it often shapes the most personal decisions in our lives. Two recent cases in the Israeli Family Court

How to Check for Child Support Debt in Israel and Exit Orders
For many Anglos living abroad, especially parents from the U.S. or U.K., returning to Israel can bring up serious legal and financial concerns. One of

Inheritance in Israel Without a Will: What Families Need to Know
Families abroad often face unexpected challenges when a loved one passes away and leaves money or property in Israel. One common situation is when there

Divorcing in Israel as a U.S. Citizen: What You Must Know About U.S. Taxes
Divorce is never simple. But divorcing in Israel as a U.S. citizen adds a layer many people overlook: U.S. tax obligations. If you or your

Divorce in Israel: Court Awards Compensation to Housewife After 30 Years of Marriage
What Happens When One Spouse Builds a Home and the Other Builds a Career? A recent family court ruling in Israel dealt with a situation

Child Travel Disputes in Israel: When One Parent Objects to Overseas Trips
Family Court Approves Bar Mitzvah Travel Despite Father’s Fears In a recent case highlighting child travel disputes in Israel, the Family Court approved a mother’s

Emotional Parenting Obligations in Israel: Can a Parent Be Forced to Parent?
Emotional parenting obligations in Israel raise difficult questions for both families and the courts. What happens when a parent refuses to stay emotionally involved in

Financial Abuse in Relationships: The Hidden Form of Control That Leaves No Bruises
When your partner controls your money, they control your life. Here’s what you need to know about recognizing and addressing financial abuse. You might think

Why Your Second Marriage Needs a Prenup in Israel
If you’re entering a second marriage, you already understand how important it is to protect yourself and your loved ones. A second marriage prenup is

Obtaining a Tzav Yerusha (Inheritance Order) in Israel
A Step-by-Step Guide WHAT IS A TZAV YERUSHA? A Tzav Yerusha (צו ירושה) is an official court order issued when someone passes away without leaving

How Prenups and Ketubahs Work Together Under Israeli Family Law
If you’re familiar with my perspective on Israel’s Rabbinic courts—and the broader family law system—you know I often view them critically. That said, this particular

Parental Alienation in Israel: Can the Alienated Parent Still Be Forced to Pay Child Support?
What happens when children refuse to see their mother, but the court believes their father caused the estrangement? Should the mother still have to pay

Divorce & Splitting Finances Problems
What occurs when a couple splits their finances but the bank denies the loan holder from paying the wife’s portion? In certain cases, when couples

Property Division Without a Prenuptial Agreement
Couples tend to avoid discussing two main topics – money and sex. I don’t have anything groundbreaking to share on the topic of sex, but when

Poor Will Drafting: How Attorney Mistakes Can Damage Families and Estates
As a Family Law lawyer in Israel, I frequently see how something meant to provide clarity—a Last Will and Testament—can, when drafted poorly, lead to

Planning for the Future: Understanding the Statement of Intent Document (מסמך הבעת רצון)
Securing Care for Your Loved Ones As parents and guardians, we constantly worry about the wellbeing of those under our care. But have you considered

Understanding the Israeli Continuing Power of Attorney and How It Differs from U.S. Legal Tools
When planning for the future, it is crucial to ensure that our wishes are respected if we are no longer able to make decisions for
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When a Court-Appointed Expert Gets It Wrong: A Shocking Family Law Case
In Israeli family court, expert opinions play a critical role in shaping custody decisions. Judges often rely on court-appointed psychologists to assess parents’ mental fitness,

Jay Hait Answers: When a Spouse Threatens to Take Children to Another Country
Many individuals in multinational marriages face a terrifying prospect during divorce: the threat that their spouse will take their children to another country. This fear

Divorce – Pension Funds Status in Instances of Early Retirement
As a part of the division of properties between spouses upon their divorce, the pension funds are also divided. Pension funds are deducted and set-aside from

Property Division Without a Prenuptial Agreement
Couples tend to avoid discussing two main topics—money and sex. While I don’t have much insight on the latter, when it comes to money in

Prenups: Securing Your Future with Hait Family Law
A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is often seen as an unromantic necessity, but it can be one of the most important steps you take to protect

How Hait Family Law Can Guide You Through the Complexities of Israeli Divorce Laws with Sensitivity and Expertise
Divorce is never easy, especially when it involves navigating the intricacies of a foreign legal system. For those in the Anglo-Jewish community, the process can

Child Custody Laws in Israel: What You Need to Know About Custody Arrangements, Visitation Rights, and the “Tender Years Doctrine”
When families go through the difficult process of divorce in Israel, one of the most critical issues to address is child custody. For parents, understanding

Understanding the Differences Between Family Court and Rabbinic Court in Israel
Navigating the Israeli legal system can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to family matters like divorce, child custody, or inheritance disputes. One of the

From Personal Experience to Professional Purpose: My Journey in Israeli Family Law
When I first faced divorce proceedings in Israel as an English speaker, I felt overwhelmed and lost. The complexity of navigating a foreign legal system

Men: Choosing Between Family Court and Rabbinic Court in Divorce
A common belief is that men should always file in the Rabbinic court, while women should opt for the Family court—but this is not always

Should Reserve Duty Allowances Be Included in Child Support Calculations?
A Family Court in Israel recently ruled in a child support case, with a central issue being whether the reserve duty allowances the father received

Infidelity in Relationships – Can Trust Be Rebuilt and the Relationship Strengthened?
Infidelity is one of the most challenging crises a relationship can face. While some view infidelity as inevitable, rooted in the belief that humans are

Do You Need to Make a New Will When You Move to Israel?
Moving to Israel is an exciting new chapter, but it comes with important legal considerations. One question I often get is: Do you need to

Making Good Decisions About Your Prenup
Entering a marriage is a major milestone, and a well-thought-out prenuptial agreement (prenup) can ensure financial clarity and mutual understanding from the outset. Here’s what

Understanding the Key Differences Between Financial Agreements and Prenuptial Agreements in Israel
Many people ask about the distinction between a financial agreement and a prenuptial agreement. While they share many legal similarities, the primary difference lies in

Overcoming Divorce Challenges in Israel: Take the First Step Toward a Better Life
The practical challenges of divorce in Israel can feel overwhelming. Housing, employment, healthcare, schools—each presents unique complexities, especially for immigrants. These hurdles often become convenient

Practical Paralysis: When Logistics Lead to Limbo
The practical challenges of divorce in Israel can seem overwhelming. Housing, employment, healthcare, schools – each aspect presents its own complexity when viewed through an

Family Matters: When Distance Complicates Decisions
Being far from your support system makes divorce seem even more daunting. Without family nearby, the prospect of single parenthood in Israel can feel overwhelming.

Financial Fears: The Price of Unhappiness
Money worries keep countless people in unhappy marriages. As an immigrant, you might have complex financial ties spanning multiple countries. The thought of dividing assets,

Lost in Translation: When Language Keeps You Trapped
The Israeli legal system can seem like an impenetrable maze, especially in Hebrew. Many English speakers stay in unhappy marriages simply because navigating divorce in

Cultural & Religious Barriers: Are They Worth Your Happiness?
Living in an unhappy marriage because of what others might think? As an English speaker in Israel, the pressure from your religious and cultural community

Understanding Shared Parenting (הורות משותפת) in Israel: A New Approach to Post-Divorce Parenting
Understanding Shared Parenting (הורות משותפת) in Israel: A Modern Approach to Post-Divorce Family Life In recent years, Israeli courts have embraced shared parenting (Horut Meshutafet)

What You Should Know About Wills in Israel
A Will is a way for individuals to decide how their property will be distributed after their death. A Mutual Will is a joint agreement

When Love Crosses Borders: A Prenup’s Unexpected Journey
A recent ruling from the Jerusalem Family Court has sent shockwaves through the international community in Israel, highlighting the complex intersection of foreign prenuptial agreements

The Importance of Continuous Powers of Attorney for Everyone
Life is full of decisions—where we live, how we work, and how we manage our health and finances. But what happens if we’re suddenly unable

Planning Ahead in Israel: The Importance of Wills and Future Security
Planning for the future is essential, especially in a world where unforeseen events can drastically impact our lives. In Israel, the need to prepare is

The Significance of Continuous Powers of Attorney for All Ages
In our pursuit of independence, we value the freedom to make choices about our lives—where we live, our careers, and our financial and healthcare decisions.

Things You Need to Know Before You Get Divorced (For Men)
Divorce in Israel involves several critical factors, including child custody, child support, division of assets, and the Jewish writ of divorce (Get). Knowing how these

Essential Documents for Claiming Child Maintenance (Child Support)
When applying for child maintenance, having the right documents is key to presenting an accurate picture of your financial situation and your children’s needs. Here’s

Divorce Process for Jewish Women in Israel: A Simple Guide
Divorce can be challenging, especially in Israel, where both religious and secular courts are involved. Here’s a straightforward overview to help you navigate the process:

The Prenup: The Most Important Contract of Your Life—Here’s Why You Need One
First off, congratulations on your engagement! As you and your partner dive into wedding preparations, there’s one document you cannot afford to overlook—the prenuptial agreement

Filing a Motion to Settle Differences in Israel: What You Need to Know
If you’re dealing with marital conflicts, the idea of going through a lengthy and stressful divorce process can be overwhelming. But what if you could

Why You Must Watch This Video on Continuing Power of Attorney in Israel
Have you ever thought about what would happen if you could no longer make decisions for yourself? Most people don’t—until it’s too late. In this

Important – What Every Man Should Understand About Mandatory Divorce Mediation
In July 2016, Israel’s “Obligatory Divorce Mediation” law brought notable changes to the divorce process. Here, I will explain to you the basic important information

Don’t Wait – Get Your Stuff Sorted: Wills, Money Moves, and Looking After Your Peeps in Israel
Life in Israel? It’s wild, right? That’s why you’ve gotta think ahead, no matter how young or footloose you are. Let’s break it down: 1.

Understanding How Divorce Works in Israel
Divorce is a significant life event, and knowing how the process works can help make it less overwhelming. Here’s a simplified guide to the steps

The Advantages of Being the First to File in Family Law Cases for Women
In family law, who files first in a legal dispute can significantly impact the outcome. This article discusses the benefits for women who initiate the

Child Custody Cases For Olim
International kidnappings are more common than you think. But I’m not talking about the criminal kind involving strangers who abduct kids from their parents. I’m

Navigating Separation: A Guide for Women Going Through Divorce in Israel
Divorce is tough, especially when you’re trying to separate from your spouse. In many countries, there’s a legal process called separation that lets you live

Important: Understanding Obligatory Divorce Mediation in Israel
In July 2016, Israel introduced the “Obligatory Divorce Mediation” law, also known as the “Law for Judicial Procedures in Family Disputes.” This law aims to
