Israeli Inheritance Law — Remote Process
Succession Order from Abroad
Complete Remote Process Guide
Adv. Liron Elmaliach handles Israeli succession orders for overseas heirs from start to finish — no travel required. Power of attorney, document gathering, filing, and estate access all coordinated remotely.
What is a Succession Order and Why Do You Need One?
A succession order (צו ירושה, tzav yerusha) is a court order issued by the Registrar for Inheritance Affairs (הרשם לענייני ירושה) that officially identifies the legal heirs of a person who died without a will. It is the document that proves, in the eyes of every Israeli institution, who is entitled to the estate.
Without a succession order, Israeli banks will not release funds from the deceased's accounts, and the Israel Land Registry will not transfer registered property to the heirs. It is the essential first step for accessing any Israeli asset after intestate death.
Succession order versus probate order: A succession order applies when the deceased left no will. If a will exists, you apply instead for a probate order (צו קיום צוואה, tzav kiyum tzava'a), which confirms the will's validity. The two procedures are similar but have different requirements — your attorney will advise on which applies.
Who can apply: Any legal heir recognised under the Israeli Inheritance Law 5725-1965 — typically a spouse, children, parents, or siblings, depending on the family structure. Applications may be filed by one heir on behalf of all, or jointly by all heirs.
Required documents typically include: an Israeli death certificate (or a foreign death certificate with apostille and certified Hebrew translation), proof of relationship (birth and/or marriage certificates with apostilles), copies of identity documents, and a declaration by the heirs. Additional documents may be required depending on the circumstances of the estate.
Timeline: Once all documents are filed, the Registrar publishes a public notice and a mandatory 15-day objection period runs. If no objection is filed, the order is issued. The full process typically takes 2–3 months from filing to receipt of the order.
Costs: The government filing fee is set by regulation and is relatively modest. Attorney fees depend on the complexity of the estate and whether coordination with multiple heirs or foreign institutions is required. Adv. Liron Elmaliach provides a transparent fee quote at the outset of the engagement.
The Step-by-Step Remote Process for Overseas Heirs
Step 1 — Engage a Jerusalem attorney by email or Zoom. Send an initial email describing the estate: the deceased's name, date of death, the nature of the Israeli assets (bank accounts, property, shares), and the names of the heirs. Adv. Liron Elmaliach will respond with a summary of the process, required documents, and a fee proposal — at no charge and without obligation.
Step 2 — Execute a Power of Attorney (POA). To authorise your attorney to act on your behalf in Israel, you must sign a notarised POA. You can do this at the Israeli consulate in your city (no apostille needed) or before a local notary public whose signature is then apostilled by the competent authority in your country. Your attorney will provide the draft POA in advance.
Step 3 — Gather and authenticate documents. Collect the death certificate, proof-of-relationship documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates), and identity documents. Foreign public documents must carry an apostille under the Hague Convention, and non-Hebrew documents require a certified Hebrew translation. Your attorney will provide a personalised checklist.
Step 4 — Filing with the Registrar. Your attorney compiles the application and files it electronically or in person at the Registrar for Inheritance Affairs. The government filing fee is paid at this stage.
Step 5 — Publication and waiting period. The Registrar publishes a public notice. A mandatory 15-day period runs during which any interested party may file an objection. If no objection is received, the Registrar issues the order.
Step 6 — Receiving the succession order. The certified succession order is issued and provided to your attorney. It can be sent to you by international courier or held by the attorney for the next steps.
Step 7 — Accessing bank accounts and property. Your attorney submits the order to each Israeli bank to release funds, and to the Land Registry together with a tax clearance certificate to transfer real estate. All of these steps can be handled remotely on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions — Succession Order from Abroad
Answers to the most common questions from overseas heirs dealing with Israeli estates
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Succession Order for Israeli Assets — Full Remote Service
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