A will: how to make one and where to keep it
A will is the way to decide who receives what after you die. Without a will, the law decides who inherits. A clear will saves the family arguments and heartache.
Some details in this guide are still being checked against the official source. Before you rely on them, check the website of the responsible office.
Four types of wills in the law
- **Handwritten:** written entirely in your own handwriting, with a date and a signature. No witnesses and no lawyer are needed. Easy to do, but also easy to make a mistake. - **Before witnesses:** written (it can be printed), dated, and signed by you in front of two witnesses. The witnesses also sign. Someone who receives something in the will must not be a witness. - **Before an authority:** made in front of a judge, a Registrar of Inheritance (רשם לענייני ירושה), a notary, and others. This is the safest way, and it is harder to challenge. - **Spoken:** allowed only in unusual situations, when someone is about to die, so we do not rely on it.
What to write
Write clearly who receives which asset (home, account, belongings), and get help from a lawyer if there are children from different relationships, a business, or a shared property. Do not forget that married couples need to check the share of the spouse under the law as well.
- Date and signature on the will
- Full name and ID number of each heir
- A list of the main assets
- Who will carry out the will (optional)
Depositing with the Registrar of Inheritance
You can deposit the will with the Registrar of Inheritance. Depositing is **optional, not required**, and the will is valid even without it. But depositing makes sure the will is not lost or hidden, and that the family can find it. You can deposit a handwritten will, a will before witnesses, or a will before an authority. About the fee: according to information we found, someone who deposits for the first time may be exempt from the fee. The amount and the exemption were not verified here, so check the website.
- Deposit the will with the Registrar of Inheritance
- Tell at least one family member that the will exists
- Keep a copy in a safe place
Changing and canceling
You can change a will at any time. A new will usually cancels the old one. Do not write changes in pencil on the old will. Make a new will in an orderly way.
This guide is meant to explain and guide. It is not legal advice and does not replace a lawyer. A will that was written wrongly may be canceled. We recommend talking to a lawyer before you make one.
Back to the main page