Wills Attorney in Israel Helping Clients Make Their Wishes Known

Talking about wills can be uncomfortable for many people due to their association with death and mourning, but it is vital to remember that wills are mainly about the living. Your will allows you to leave a legacy to your family, friends, or favorite charities. You can ensure that they will be cared for, even after you are gone.

A will is an essential legal document for everyone to possess, whether they are a young adult who has just started a family or a retiree who has recently made Aliyah. Whatever your situation, Hait Family Law can help you draft or revise a will to reflect your finances and wishes. Call (077) 200 8161 to schedule your complimentary case evaluation today.

What Types of Wills Are Recognized in Israel?

If you are coming from a Western country, it is important to understand that Israeli law regarding wills is going to look a little different than what you are used to. For example, there are four varieties of valid and binding wills in Israel:

A will written in your own hand and signed by you.
A spoken will heard by an authority such as a judge.
A will drafted by an attorney and signed and dated by two witnesses.
A deathbed will, which is a verbal statement of your wishes when you are near death.

Each type of will has specific rules for its creation; if those rules are not followed, the will is invalid. Even some valid wills may be contested if they contain ambiguous language or do not fully account for the entirety of your estate. By enlisting the assistance of a lawyer familiar with will creation in Israel, you can make sure your family doesn’t end up in contentious and costly litigation over your estate.

Who Can You Leave Your Assets to in a Will?

A will allows you to leave your property, money, investments, and other valuables to whoever you wish. Common beneficiaries include your children, spouse, friends, and charitable organizations. While you have complete power over who is named in your will, as long as you still have your mental capabilities, you do have to act carefully if you are doing something that might appear uncharacteristic. For example, if you left one child out of your will with no explanation, they may be able to challenge the will because their exclusion could be construed as an oversight or mistake on your part. You should consult an experienced Israeli wills attorney to ensure that your will is clear and everything will be distributed as you wish after your passing.

Do You Need to Write a New Will if You Recently Moved to Israel?

If you have made Aliyah or immigrated to Israel for another reason, you may have a will written in your home country. In general, these wills are usually recognized as valid under Israeli law. However, there are a couple of problems inherent in only having a foreign will. First, it probably makes no consideration for your assets in Israel because it predates their acquisition. When items are not covered by a will, the court usually decides who will inherit, based on Israeli law. Second, only having a foreign will makes the probate process exponentially more complex. Your family must have the will translated and approved by the Israeli court, which can be a lengthy and expensive process.

To circumvent these issues, we usually recommend that our clients create a will in each country which covers their assets there. After they pass, their family can file the wills simultaneously in each country, which reduces the time and hassle involved.

What Can a Wills Lawyer Do for You?

You have worked hard to build your assets and likely have strong opinions about who you want to pass them down to after you’re gone. Unfortunately, if you die without a valid will, you will have no method to communicate your wishes, and the court may distribute your estate in a way you did not want. Sadly, families have been torn apart over disagreements surrounding wills and inheritances.

A well-thought-out estate plan is a gift to the ones you love. Building a strong will with the help of a lawyer from Hait Family Law can make the probate process as easy as possible for your already grieving family members. Contact our law firm today to learn how we can help you with will creation and other estate planning needs: (077) 200 8161.