How to write a last will and testament in Israel?

How to Write a Last Will and Testament in Israel

This article addresses how to write a last will and testament in Israel according to regulations in Israel inheritance law.

This Series of Posts

Our law firm specializes in a variety of fields, including Israel inheritance law. This article focuses on various aspects of Israel inheritance law, based on the Hebrew instructions on the Ministry of Justice website under the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs. To read more on this subject, see our collection of articles on inheritance issues.

How to Write a Last Will and Testament in Israel

There are a number of important points to keep in mind as you write a last will and testament in Israel.

When the will is a handwritten will, it is important that the whole last will and testament be written in the testator’s handwriting.
The title “Will” must be at the top of the page, including the date on which it is written.
The testator’s personal information must be listed, including name, ID number, and address.
Relevant information about the heirs must be listed as well, including name, address, and any pertinent information that would help identify the heirs.
A clear explanation regarding how the property should be divided, avoiding double negatives for clarity.
Information regarding the testator’s health and constitution, specifically that the testator is healthy enough to make the will.
Finally, the will must have the testator’s signature in the testator’s own handwriting.

How to Avoid Errors in a Last Will and Testament

Having an error can invalidate a will, thus it is important to avoid any such errors. Below we include a list the Ministry of Justice discusses about potential problems when writing wills.

When writing a will by hand, it cannot be typed and then have a handwritten signature. The entire will must be in the testator’s handwriting.
Heirs may not be present when a will is written, and heirs are not permitted to take part in preparing the will.
A last will and testament may be changed in the future, even if the testator writes otherwise in previous wills. The testator may write many wills, but the last will written is the one that is considered valid.
In the event that a testator is elderly or sick, an expert medical opinion should be attached to the will to indicate that the testator is capable of making a will.
The testator is not permitted to stipulate unreasonable conditions. For example, it is unreasonable to require that an heir to move to a specific place to receive the inheritance. If you have questions about what constitutes an unreasonable condition, please consult a lawyer.
When the heir is a minor, it is recommended that the testator indicate who is responsible for the estate until heir becomes an adult.
It is not permitted for minors to write wills. One must be 18 to write a will.