What to Do When Someone Dies Owning Assets in Israel

What to Do When Someone Dies Owning Assets in Israel

A Practical Guide for Families

Losing someone close to you is overwhelming. If they owned assets in Israel, you now face practical decisions at a time when practical matters feel impossible.

This guide explains what needs to happen and in what order. Some steps are urgent. Others can wait. Knowing the difference helps you focus on what matters now.

You do not need to do everything at once. You do not need to do everything yourself.

We Are Here to Help

If you need guidance or want someone to take over the practical burden, contact us. We have helped families through this process since 1975.

Telephone: +44 (0) 208 129 5858
Email: eli@israeli-lawyer.co.uk

We respond to bereaved families as quickly as we can. All conversations are confidential.

The First Days: Immediate Steps

Obtain the Death Certificate

You will need an official death certificate from the country where your loved one died. In the UK, this is issued by the Register Office. Order several certified copies. You will need them for banks, registries, and legal proceedings in both countries.

For use in Israel, the death certificate requires an apostille — an official stamp that authenticates the document for international use. In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The process takes a few days if done in person, longer by post.

Keep the original death certificate safe. Some institutions require the original, not a copy.

If the Deceased Had Israeli Citizenship

Israeli citizens who die abroad should be registered with the Israeli Embassy or Consulate. This is important for updating Israeli population records, pension and national insurance matters, and future dealings with Israeli authorities. The Embassy can also provide guidance on bringing the deceased to Israel for burial, if that is the family’s wish.

Secure the Will

If the deceased made a will, locate it as soon as possible. Check their home, their solicitor or lawyer, and their bank. The will determines who deals with the estate and who inherits. If there is an Israeli will dealing with Israeli assets separately from an English will, both documents are important.

If you cannot find a will, the estate will be distributed according to the intestacy rules of the deceased’s country of domicile. This may not reflect what they would have wanted.

The First Weeks: Protecting Assets

Israeli Bank Accounts

Inform the Israeli bank of the death as soon as reasonably possible. The bank will freeze the account to protect the funds until a legal heir or executor is confirmed.

You will typically need to provide the death certificate with apostille, your identification, and evidence of your relationship to the deceased or your authority to act. The bank will not release funds without an Israeli probate order or succession order, except sometimes for small balances or funeral expenses. Do not expect immediate access.

Ask the bank for a statement of the account balance and any standing orders or direct debits. This information helps you understand ongoing payments.

Israeli Property: Vacant or Occupied

If the property is vacant: Vacant property is vulnerable. Consider changing the locks if others had keys, asking a trusted neighbour to keep watch, and checking the property regularly or arranging for someone to do so. Ensure insurance remains valid — notify the insurer of the death and vacancy. Vacant properties may have different insurance requirements and an unoccupied property may not be covered under a standard policy.

If the property is rented out: Inform the tenants of the death. Clarify who will manage the property and collect rent during estate administration. Review the lease to understand notice periods and obligations. Continue maintaining the property as required by the lease. Rent should continue to be collected and held for the estate.

Ongoing Payments and Bills

Identify recurring payments the deceased was making for Israeli assets. Arnona (municipal tax) must continue — contact the local municipality to update records. Electricity and water providers should be contacted to maintain service, especially for occupied or rented properties. Building management fees (Vaad HaBait) must continue — inform the house committee of the death. If there is an Israeli mortgage, contact the lender immediately as missing payments can have serious consequences. Check for car payments, leases, and insurance arrangements.

Make a list of all ongoing obligations. Some payments may be set up as standing orders from the Israeli bank account, which is now frozen.

Inform the Neighbours and House Committee

If the deceased owned an apartment in Israel, inform the neighbours and the Vaad HaBait. They should know that the owner has passed away, who to contact regarding the property, and that the property will be looked after. Good relations with neighbours matter. They can alert you to problems, accept deliveries, and provide practical help.

Secure Valuable Items

If there are valuable movables in the Israeli property — jewellery, art, cash, important documents — consider how to secure them. Options include removing items to a safe location, placing items in a bank safe deposit box, arranging proper insurance, and documenting everything with photographs and a written inventory. This is particularly important if the property will be vacant for an extended period.

Business Interests and Investments

Company Directorships

If the deceased was a director of an Israeli company, the company must be informed. A director’s death affects the company’s ability to make decisions, signatory authority on bank accounts, and statutory filings with the Israeli Companies Registrar. The company’s articles of association will govern what happens next and a replacement director may need to be appointed.

Shareholdings and Investments

Shares in Israeli companies form part of the estate and must be transferred to the heirs following probate. This requires valuation of the shares at the date of death, updating the company’s share register, and filing with the Companies Registrar if required. Investment accounts, pension funds, and other financial assets in Israel each have their own procedures. Contact each institution to notify them of the death, understand their requirements for releasing funds, and obtain statements and valuations.

What Comes Next: The Legal Process

Once immediate matters are addressed, the formal legal process begins.

Israeli Probate or Succession Order

To transfer Israeli assets to the heirs, you will need either a Probate Order (צו קיום צוואה) if there is a will, or a Succession Order (צו ירושה) if there is no will. These orders are issued by the Israeli Registrar for Inheritance Matters or the Family Court.

The process requires an application, supporting documents, expert evidence on foreign law if the deceased was domiciled outside Israel, and a waiting period for potential objections. For detailed information, see our article on the Probate Process in Israel.

English Probate

If the deceased also owned assets in England, a separate English grant of probate or letters of administration may be needed. The two processes run in parallel but are independent.

Timescales

The Israeli probate process typically takes several months. Complex cases or contested matters take longer. Starting early and preparing documents properly helps avoid delays.

Common Questions

Can I access the Israeli bank account to pay bills?
Generally, no — not until you have legal authority. The bank may make exceptions for funeral expenses or urgent matters, but this is at their discretion.

Do I need to travel to Israel?
Not necessarily. Much can be done remotely through properly appointed Israeli lawyers.

What if I don’t speak Hebrew?
This is where Israeli lawyers who work with international clients are essential. All documents must be filed in Hebrew, and court proceedings are conducted in Hebrew.

What if there are debts?
Israeli debts must be paid from the Israeli estate before distribution to heirs.

What if family members disagree?
Disputes can arise over wills, valuations, or distribution. Early legal advice helps prevent disagreements from escalating. If disputes do arise, the matter may transfer to the Family Court.

Let Us Help You

Dealing with a death is hard enough without navigating a foreign legal system. We have guided families through this process for more than fifty years.

We can advise you on immediate steps, communicate with Israeli banks and institutions on your behalf, prepare and file probate applications, secure and manage property during administration, and transfer assets to the rightful heirs.

You do not have to do this alone.

Telephone: +44 (0) 208 129 5858
Email: eli@israeli-lawyer.co.uk

London Office: 28b Hampstead High Street, London NW3 1QA
Tel Aviv Office: 54 Hamasger Street, Tel Aviv 6721421

All conversations with bereaved families are treated with care and kept confidential.

Related Articles

Probate Process in Israel
Israeli Intestacy and Succession Orders
Expert Opinions on Israeli Law

This guide provides general information to help families in difficult circumstances. It is not legal advice for your specific situation. Please contact us for guidance tailored to your circumstances.