Who Can Inherit in Israel Inheritance Law

This article addresses who can inherit in Israel, whether an estate or other property, as well as issues related to heirs and criminal attempts against the testator.

This Series of Posts

Our law office specializes in a variety of fields, including inheritance law in Israel. This article is one in a series addressing different 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, see our collection of articles on inheritance issues.

Who Can Inherit in Israel

Testators can bequeath property to individuals they wish, including children who are born within three hundred days of the testator passing away. The testator may also bequeath property to organizations or corporate bodies.

If you wish to see more information, read our article about what is succession according to Israel’s succession law. We also discuss who can inherit in Israel and the order of heirs in Israel inheritance law. The previously mentioned collection of articles contains all of our articles on inheritance.

Heirs and Criminal Actions against the Testator

In the event that an heir is convicted of criminal action regarding the testator, they are excluded from the testator’s inheritance. For example, if an heir is convicted of a crime involving ending the testator’s life, the heir may not inherit any of the testator’s estate, even if the testator’s will indicates that the heir should receive part of their estate. Also, if an heir is convicted of concealing or forging the testator’s will or lying to obtain the testator’s inheritance, the heir is excluded from the testator’s inheritance.