Inheritance rules for a foreign resident owning property in Israel

When property located in Israel belongs to a deceased non-Israeli resident, managing the succession becomes a complex issue. Whether it's an apartment, a bank account, or other assets, it is crucial to understand the legal framework in place. In Israel, the distribution of a foreign resident's assets follows specific rules, influenced by both Israeli law and the law of the deceased's country of residence. The first step for heirs is to submit an application for an inheritance certificate or testament validity certificate. This process must be carried out with the competent Israeli authorities, such as the succession office or a court. If the deceased was not a resident of Israel, an expert in the law of the country of origin is often required to provide legal opinion on the validity of the testament and the rights of the heirs. According to Israeli law, under article 137, it is generally the legislation of the deceased's country of residence that takes precedence. However, several factors, such as the validity of the testament or the identity of the heirs, must be examined. For example, a testament might be valid in one country, but require compliance with Israeli laws to be recognized locally. Similarly, inheritance shares may vary according to different legislations, whether involving children or other heirs. Managing a succession in Israel for a foreign resident requires specific expertise to navigate between different legislations. The support of a specialized lawyer is therefore essential to ensure that all procedures are followed in accordance with the law and that the rights of the heirs are respected.