How Is Child Support Calculated in Israel?
Israeli law distinguishes between age groups and custody types. The field has undergone a legal revolution in recent years, especially for children above the age of six.
Child Support Up to Age 6
For young children (up to age 6), the basic support obligation generally falls on the father, based on personal (religious) law. In most cases, the father bears essential support almost regardless of parenting time.
Child Support Ages 6 to 18
At these ages, courts weigh both parents’ incomes, actual parenting time, and the children’s needs – housing, food, education, and health – to reach a fair distribution that reflects each side’s financial capacity.
The Support Revolution: Joint Custody and Reduced Obligations
Following landmark Supreme Court rulings, the legal reality has shifted. In cases of joint custody and similar parental incomes, courts now tend to significantly reduce support obligations – and sometimes order no ongoing support beyond direct expense sharing. Where there is a material income gap or sole custody, the obligation remains higher. We represent parents in initial support claims and in petitions to reduce or increase support following a material change in circumstances.
Spousal Support: Security and Financial Rehabilitation
Spousal support ensures the wife’s standard of living until the Get (religious divorce) is granted. The obligation generally falls on the husband under religious law, subject to the parties’ conduct.
In addition to religious-based support, the Family Court may award civil or rehabilitative support. We examine income gaps, length of marriage, and the need for a financial adjustment period, combining strategy across religious and civil forums to protect your interests.
