Registering assets: what to write down and how to find forgotten money
A family that finds an organized list of assets, debts, and accounts all at once saves months of searching. Such a list is a gift to your children.
What to write down
- **Real estate:** the address, and the **block and parcel (גוש וחלקה)** numbers (they appear on the land registry extract (נסח טאבו) or in the contract). - **Bank accounts:** the bank name, the branch, and the account number. Not codes and passwords. - **Pension, advanced study funds (קרנות השתלמות), and provident funds (קופות גמל):** the name of the company and the type of product. - **Insurance:** life, health, and home insurance. - **Debts and commitments:** mortgage, loans, guarantees. - **Important documents:** will, power of attorney, medical directives, and where they are kept. - **Contacts:** lawyer, accountant, pension adviser.
- Block and parcel of each property
- Bank accounts
- Pension and funds
- Insurance
- Debts
- Where the documents are
- Professional contacts
Finding forgotten money
- **Har HaKesef (הר הכסף)** (a government website) finds forgotten pension savings and life insurance policies. - **Dormant bank accounts and deposits, and also accounts of people who have died:** you can check on the website “Har HaKesef 2”, at no cost. - **The Pension Clearinghouse (המסלקה הפנסיונית)** gives a combined picture of pension savings. Check the Ministry of Finance (משרד האוצר) website for how to access it (not verified here). Some services require personal identification. Heirs usually need to show an inheritance order.
- Check Har HaKesef
- Check dormant bank accounts
- Ask for a report from the Pension Clearinghouse
Where to keep the list
In a safe place that at least one family member knows about, for example a safe or a closed folder. Update it once a year. **Do not write passwords on this list.**
- Update once a year
- A place known to one family member
This guide is meant to explain and guide. It is not legal or financial advice and does not replace a lawyer or a professional adviser. It is worth talking with a professional about complex assets.
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