A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in Israel allows an adult with capacity to appoint another person to make decisions on their behalf if they later lose the ability to do so. Under Israeli law, an LPA must be prepared by a specially authorised Israeli lawyer and deposited with the Administrator General. Only then may the appointed attorney act under its powers when the donor can no longer understand in the relevant matter. Rosenberg Law holds the specific authorisation required under Amendment 18 and handles cross-border LPA arrangements for UK families with Israeli assets.
Paul Rosenberg – Israeli LPA Expert
Paul is qualified as an Israeli lawyer and notary public, and holds special authorisation from the Israeli Public Guardian and Administrator General to draft and register Lasting Powers of Attorney under Amendment 18 to the Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law, 5722-1962. With over four decades of practice, his experience spans family law, probate and estate administration, estate litigation, property transactions, and capacity planning, with particular focus on serving international clients managing Israeli legal matters from abroad.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney under Israeli Law?
Israeli law permits individuals to plan for future incapacity through a formal mechanism known as a Lasting Power of Attorney. This instrument is governed by Chapter Two1 of the Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law, 5722-1962, as introduced by Amendment 18. Under this framework, a person with capacity (termed the “donor”) may appoint one or more attorneys to act on their behalf in personal affairs, property matters, or both.
The scope of an Israeli LPA may be broad or limited depending on the donor’s wishes. Personal affairs include matters relating to health, day-to-day needs, place of residence, and physical, mental, or social wellbeing. Property affairs encompass financial decisions, asset management, and legal transactions. A donor may appoint the same person for both categories or designate different attorneys for each.
Rosenberg Law’s LPA Drafting Service: We draft Israeli Lasting Powers of Attorney tailored to each client’s circumstances. For UK-based donors with Israeli assets, we advise on the appropriate scope of powers, the selection of attorneys and alternate attorneys, and the conditions under which the LPA should come into force. Our drafting reflects over fifty years of experience advising non-Hebrew speaking clients on Israeli legal matters. Paul Rosenberg holds the special authorisation required under Amendment 18, having completed the mandatory training programme prescribed by the Ministry of Justice.
However, complications may arise where the donor resides outside Israel or wishes to appoint attorneys based abroad, as Israeli banks and institutions may require additional documentation or court recognition before accepting the attorney’s authority.
It is important to note that not every Israeli lawyer is authorised to prepare a Lasting Power of Attorney. Amendment 18 restricts this function to lawyers who have completed mandatory training prescribed by the Ministry of Justice. Documents prepared by unqualified practitioners are void. This requirement exists to protect donors from improper preparation and to ensure that the legal implications are fully explained before signing.
Rosenberg Law’s Amendment 18 Authorisation: Verify that any lawyer you engage holds the specific authorisation required under Amendment 18. Documents prepared by unauthorised practitioners are void and provide no protection. Rosenberg Law’s authorisation is current and verifiable. We explain the legal implications in English before signing, ensuring UK clients fully understand the instrument they are executing despite the document being in Hebrew.
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Coming into Force and Registration
A Lasting Power of Attorney does not take effect automatically upon signing. The document must first be deposited with the Administrator General in Israel. Deposit is a prerequisite for coming into force. Once deposited, the LPA remains dormant until the conditions specified by the donor are met—typically, when the donor ceases to be able to understand in the relevant matter.
The determination of incapacity may be made through expert opinion or another method specified by the donor in the LPA itself. However, the donor cannot stipulate that the power of attorney shall come into force by the attorney’s decision alone.
Rosenberg Law’s Registration Process: We handle the complete registration process with the Administrator General, including submission of the original document, payment of fees, and obtaining confirmation of deposit. UK-based clients receive confirmation that their LPA is properly registered without needing to travel to Israel. When the LPA subsequently needs to be activated, we assist attorneys in preparing the necessary declarations and obtaining the Administrator General’s confirmation that the power is in force.
When the triggering conditions are fulfilled, the attorney must deliver a declaration to the Administrator General confirming that the conditions have been met and that notification duties have been discharged. Only then does the Administrator General issue confirmation that the LPA is in force.
For foreign residents with Israeli assets, these procedural requirements may create delays. Israeli banks and registries may require proof of the LPA’s valid registration and activation before permitting the attorney to act. Cross-border coordination is often necessary, and the process may take longer than expected where documents require translation, apostille, or expert legal opinion on foreign law.
Rosenberg Law’s Cross-Border Coordination: Our practice specifically addresses the challenges UK families face when activating Israeli LPAs. We coordinate with Israeli banks and institutions on behalf of UK-based attorneys, providing the verification and documentation each institution requires. Our dual presence in London and Tel Aviv enables prompt response to Israeli institutional queries while maintaining direct communication with UK clients. We have activated LPAs for attorneys residing in England who needed to manage parents’ Israeli bank accounts and property without travelling to Israel.
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Choosing the Right Lawyer for Israeli LPA Matters
Israeli law practice requires licensing under the Israeli Attorneys Law, 1961. Only licensed Israeli advocates registered with the Israeli Bar Association may practice Israeli law. When matters involve Israeli institutions, land registries, or banking, representation must comply with these statutory requirements. UK clients should verify the lawyer holds current Israeli advocate status before engagement.
For LPA matters specifically, an additional qualification is required. Amendment 18 restricts the preparation of Israeli Lasting Powers of Attorney to lawyers who have completed mandatory Ministry of Justice training. This requirement exists because LPAs involve significant decisions about incapacity planning, and the law requires that donors receive proper explanation of the legal implications.
Rosenberg Law’s Dual Qualification: Eli Rosenberg is dual-qualified as an Israeli Advocate and a Solicitor of England and Wales. This rare combination allows direct handling of matters in both jurisdictions without referral requirements or coordination delays between separate counsel. For cross-border LPA arrangements, dual qualification enables unified advice on how Israeli and English capacity instruments interact, rather than requiring clients to consult separate lawyers in each country.
Hebrew language capability is essential for Israeli legal work. The LPA document itself is in Hebrew, court proceedings occur in Hebrew, and communications with the Administrator General are in Hebrew. A lawyer relying on translation services cannot properly explain the document’s contents or respond effectively to institutional queries.
UK clients benefit from a lawyer who can explain Israeli legal concepts in English while handling all Hebrew documentation. This eliminates translation costs, reduces miscommunication risks, and ensures the client understands what they are signing despite the language barrier.
Rosenberg Law’s Bilingual Practice: Our practice is fully bilingual. We explain all documents in English, answer questions in English, and provide English correspondence throughout the process. All Hebrew legal work—drafting, filing, institutional communications—is handled directly by our qualified lawyers. UK clients receive the benefit of local accessibility in London while their Israeli legal matters are handled with direct Hebrew competency. Our Hampstead High Street office provides convenient meeting facilities for London-based clients.
Physical presence in both jurisdictions demonstrates established practice rather than occasional cross-border work. Offices in London and Israel facilitate client meetings, immediate response to institutional requirements, and direct coordination with Israeli authorities.
Rosenberg Law has provided Israeli legal services for over fifty years, representing the third generation of Israeli lawyers in continuous practice since 1975. Our London office serve the substantial UK-based community with Israeli legal needs. We maintain active offices at 28b Hampstead High Street in London and 54 Hamasger Street in Tel Aviv, enabling direct access to Israeli institutions while providing local service to UK clients.
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We would be happy to provide you with preliminary advice on your matter and we invite you to fill and send us details on the matter and details of the foreign authority to decide your matter.
Key Limitations and Protections
Israeli law imposes important limitations on what an attorney may do under a Lasting Power of Attorney.
Other significant transactions require express authorisation in the LPA itself, including donations or gifts exceeding specified thresholds, certain pension fund withdrawals, and consent to psychiatric examination or treatment.
Rosenberg Law’s Drafting Advice: We advise donors on which express authorisations to include in their LPA based on their anticipated needs. For UK clients with substantial Israeli assets, we discuss whether to include authorisation for gifts, property transactions, and other significant matters. Our drafting reflects the specific circumstances of each client rather than using generic templates that may omit necessary powers or include inappropriate provisions.
More substantial matters—such as transactions in land, transfer of interests in an estate, or transactions exceeding NIS 500,000—require prior approval from the Administrator General or the Court.
Where an attorney acts outside the scope of the LPA or contrary to the donor’s advance directives, the Court may intervene. The Court has power to restrict the attorney’s functions, impose conditions, appoint a guardian in addition to the attorney, or revoke the LPA entirely where it was obtained through fraud, undue influence, or where the attorney fails to act properly.
Rosenberg Law’s Ongoing Support: We assist attorneys who encounter difficulties exercising powers under an Israeli LPA. When court approval is required for significant transactions, we prepare applications to the Administrator General or Family Court. We have obtained approval for property sales, estate transactions, and substantial financial decisions on behalf of UK-based attorneys managing Israeli assets for incapacitated family members.
Families based outside Israel should note that monitoring an attorney’s conduct from abroad presents practical challenges. Israeli law requires the donor to specify an “informed person” to whom the attorney must report. Selecting an appropriate informed person and establishing clear reporting expectations is essential for overseas families concerned about protecting vulnerable relatives in Israel.
Cross-Border Capacity Planning
UK families with Israeli connections often need to consider capacity planning in both jurisdictions. An English LPA governs assets in England and Wales but does not automatically operate in Israel. An Israeli LPA governs Israeli assets but requires proper execution before an authorised Israeli lawyer.
Where a family member owns assets in both countries, comprehensive planning may require both instruments. The English LPA should be prepared by an English solicitor and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. Coordination between the two instruments ensures consistent appointment of attorneys and avoids conflicts.
Rosenberg Law’s Comprehensive Planning: As dual-qualified practitioners, we advise on capacity planning across both jurisdictions. Eli Rosenberg can prepare English LPAs as a Solicitor of England and Wales and coordinate with Paul Rosenberg‘s preparation of Israeli LPAs under Amendment 18. This unified approach ensures both instruments work together effectively, with consistent attorney appointments and complementary powers. Clients receive coordinated advice from one firm rather than conflicting guidance from separate lawyers.
If an English LPA already exists and the family later discovers Israeli assets, the English LPA will not be accepted by Israeli institutions. Two options exist: apply to the Israeli Family Court for recognition of the English LPA, or execute a new Israeli LPA while the donor still has capacity. Recognition requires court proceedings and expert evidence on English law; a new Israeli LPA requires only execution before an authorised lawyer and deposit with the Administrator General.
We have obtained Israeli Family Court recognition of English LPAs for UK families who discovered Israeli assets after the donor lost capacity. Where the donor still has capacity, we advise on whether recognition or a new Israeli LPA better serves their interests. Our experience with both routes enables practical advice on costs, timescales, and effectiveness for each family’s circumstances.
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We would be happy to provide you with preliminary advice on your matter and we invite you to fill and send us details on the matter and details of the foreign authority to decide your matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a Lasting Power of Attorney for Israeli assets?
You must engage an Israeli lawyer who holds special authorisation under Amendment 18 of the Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law. The LPA must be signed before this authorised lawyer, who will explain the legal implications, and then deposited with the Administrator General in Israel. Only after deposit can the LPA come into force when the triggering conditions are met. Rosenberg Law holds this authorisation and handles LPAs for UK clients.
Can an English Lasting Power of Attorney be used in Israel?
An English LPA does not automatically operate in Israel. To enable a UK-appointed attorney to manage Israeli affairs, an application must be made to the Israeli Family Court for recognition of the foreign instrument. This requires demonstrating that the English LPA was validly executed and remains in force, and that recognition would serve the protected person’s interests. Rosenberg Law handles recognition applications and provides the expert affidavits Israeli courts require.
Who can be appointed as attorney under an Israeli LPA?
Any individual aged 18 or over may be appointed, provided they have not had a guardian appointed for them, are not bankrupt, and do not provide the donor with paid medical, nursing, or accommodation services (unless they are a relative). A person may not serve as attorney for more than three individuals unless they are a relative of each donor.
What happens if my Israeli LPA attorney lives in the UK?
An Israeli LPA may appoint attorneys residing outside Israel. However, the attorney must be able to exercise powers effectively within Israeli legal and banking systems despite being based abroad. Israeli institutions may require additional documentation or verification before accepting the attorney’s authority. Rosenberg Law assists UK-based attorneys in activating and exercising powers under Israeli LPAs, coordinating with Israeli institutions on their behalf.
How do I verify my lawyer is authorised to prepare Israeli LPAs?
Ask for evidence of completion of the mandatory Ministry of Justice training under Amendment 18. Documents prepared by unauthorised practitioners are void. Also verify the lawyer holds current Israeli advocate status through the Israeli Bar Association’s public register. Rosenberg Law’s authorisation is current and our advocate licenses are publicly verifiable.
Can I revoke an Israeli Lasting Power of Attorney?
Yes. The donor may revoke the LPA at any time by delivering written notice to the attorney and the Administrator General. The revocation takes effect upon delivery of notice to the attorney. A donor may also include a provision in the LPA stating that it shall remain in force even if they later request revocation after losing capacity—in which case, revocation requires application to the Court.
What fees should I expect for Israeli LPA preparation?
Fee structures vary depending on complexity. Simple LPAs for single donors with straightforward circumstances cost less than complex arrangements involving multiple attorneys, detailed advance directives, or coordination with English capacity planning. Rosenberg Law provides fee estimates following initial consultation, with transparent breakdowns of preparation, registration, and disbursement costs.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Israeli law on Lasting Powers of Attorney is complex and subject to change. Readers must not rely upon this content for legal purposes and should obtain professional legal advice tailored to their specific circumstances. Rosenberg Law bears no responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on this information.
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