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 a valid Will. This document specifies who the legal heirs are according to Israeli intestate succession law.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Death certificate of the deceased
• ID documents of all potential heirs
• Documents proving family relationship to the deceased (birth certificates, marriage certificates)
• List of assets belonging to the deceased
• Proof of any property ownership
• Payment receipts for both the government fee and publication fee

WHERE TO APPLY

Applications can be filed with either:

• The Inheritance Registrar (recommended for straightforward cases)
• The Family Court (for complex cases or when disputes exist)

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. PREPARE DECLARATIONS

• All heirs must sign declarations before an attorney or other authorized authority (such as a notary)
• If there are heirs abroad, they may need to provide powers of attorney
• Foreign documents must be properly authenticated (apostille) and translated to Hebrew

2. SUBMIT THE APPLICATION

• File a formal request for an inheritance order
• Include declarations from all heirs
• Pay the required government and publication fees
• Provide all supporting documentation

3. PUBLICATION PERIOD

• A notice about the application will be published
• The waiting period is typically 14 days after publication
• This allows potential objections to be filed

4. REVIEW AND ISSUANCE

• If no objections are filed and there are no special issues, the Registrar issues the order without a hearing
• If there are disputes or questions, a hearing may be scheduled
• Once approved, the Inheritance Order is issued officially recognizing the heirs and their shares

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR FOREIGN CASES

If the deceased passed away outside Israel but owned property in Israel:

• A notarized and apostilled foreign death certificate is required
• A legal opinion from a lawyer in the foreign jurisdiction may be needed to confirm succession rules are compatible with Israeli law
• The process typically takes 4-6 months or longer for international cases

TIMELINE

• Straightforward cases (Israeli resident, no disputes): Approximately 2-3 months
• Cases with foreign elements or legal complications: 4-6 months or longer

NEED ASSISTANCE?

Contact our law office for professional guidance through the Tzav Yerusha process: Call 077-200-8161.

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This post provides general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Each inheritance case has unique aspects that may require professional legal assistance.