Throughout life, a person accumulates assets, money, and property. After their death, the will they left is the decisive document determining how the estate will be distributed. However, it is important to understand: the right registered in the will does not “fall from the sky.” In order to realize your share of the inheritance and transfer the assets into your ownership, you must perform a series of defined legal actions. In this article we explain how to set the process in motion and what the updated requirements for 2026 are.
The Legal Foundation: Freedom of Testation and Honoring the Wishes of the Deceased
The State of Israel, like many developed countries, sanctifies a person’s right to decide what will be done with their property after their death. The Inheritance Law gives effect to these decisions, but it requires a formal procedure to bring them into action. We ensure that the deceased’s wishes are carried out exactly as intended, while protecting your interests as heirs.
The First Step: Application for a Probate Order
The will alone is only a “declaration of intent.” In order to give it binding legal effect vis-à-vis banks, the Land Registry, and other authorities, we file an application for a probate order with the Office of the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs.
Important to know:
- Online filing: as of 2026, most applications are filed digitally. When an attorney represents you, the law requires online filing, which significantly shortens waiting times.
- Absence of a will: if the deceased did not leave a will, we act to issue an “inheritance order,” which distributes the estate according to the rules of inheritance under the law.
What Must You Attach to the Application?
We consolidate for you all the required documents in order to prevent bureaucratic delays:
- A photocopy of the will: the original document must be available for presentation if needed.
- Death certificate and details of the deceased: including a copy of the ID card.
- Waiver affidavits (renunciation): if there are heirs who wish to waive their share in favor of others.
- Proof of service: evidence that you have notified the other heirs of the filing of the application.
Fees and Publication: The “Industrial Quiet” Stage
For the Registrar to handle the application, you must pay two mandatory fees (the amounts are updated to 2026 and linked to the index):
- Application opening fee: payment for the administrative service of the Registrar.
- Newspaper publication fee: the Registrar’s office is required to publish a public notice of the intention to issue the order. The publication is intended to allow interested persons to file an objection to the will within 14 days. We accompany you also in cases where such objections arise and protect your rights in court.
Who Is Authorized to File the Application?
The law provides that only a person defined as an heir in the will, or an attorney representing them, may file the application for the probate order. Legal guidance ensures that the application is precisely drafted, which prevents technical rejections and expedites receipt of the property.
Why Choose the Inheritance Department of Vaknin Yariv Law Office?
Realizing a will requires a combination of bureaucratic expertise and litigation capability if a dispute arises. The Family and Inheritance department is led by Adv. Shlomit Asraf Schneider. She brings extensive experience in managing complex estates and protecting heirs.
The firm was founded by Adv. Yariv Vaknin, who leads the legal strategy for ensuring rapid realization of heirs’ rights. We provide you with a professional service through our offices in Afula, Bnei Brak (B.S.R 4), New York, and Tbilisi.
Please note: the content on this site is for enrichment purposes only and constitutes general information. The information does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for binding advice.
Is your name listed in the will? Want to begin the process of receiving the inheritance? Leave your details on the site or call Adv. Yariv Vaknin now for an initial consultation: 052-2288824. We are here to turn the words in the will into assets in your hands.
