What Is The Time Limit for Claiming A Property in Israel?

A person passes away and leaves behind real estate, financial accounts, or other assets in Israel, and heirs often wonder whether they are still entitled to claim that property, especially if many years have passed since the owner’s death. Because heirs may live abroad or discover the existence of property long after the estate should have been settled, questions naturally arise about how long they legally have to assert their rights.

Fortunately, Israeli law provides strong protections for heirs, but specific deadlines and time-related rules still apply to the inheritance process.

The legal framework in Israel balances the need for clarity and order in estate matters with fairness to heirs who were unaware of their rights or lacked the necessary information earlier.

Some deadlines are strict, such as the time allowed to contest applications filed by others. Other deadlines are flexible or do not exist, such as the timeframe for claiming inherited property that remains registered in the deceased’s name.

Understanding these rules helps heirs act with confidence and avoid unnecessary delays or legal obstacles.

What are the Time Limits under Israeli Inheritance Law for Claiming Property

Unlike some jurisdictions, Israeli inheritance law does not impose a strict statute of limitations on claims to property belonging to a deceased person. Heirs can claim assets at any time, which should reassure them that their rights remain protected regardless of how many years have passed since the owner’s death.

Although many inheritance rights have no expiration date, specific steps in the process do have clear deadlines. These deadlines involve the administrative stages of obtaining legal orders or responding to notices issued by the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs. Understanding the distinction between expiration of rights and procedural deadlines is essential for navigating the system effectively.

No Deadline for Claiming the Deceased’s Property

One of the most essential principles in Israeli inheritance law is that heirs can claim property as long as it physically or legally exists under the deceased’s name. This applies to real estate, bank accounts, pension funds, or other assets that were never transferred to heirs. Because the rights are connected to the existence of the property rather than a date on the calendar, heirs do not lose their entitlement simply because many years have passed.

Common examples include:

Real estate registered in the Land Registry (Tabu) that stayed under the deceased’s name for decades.
Dormant bank accounts that remained untouched for many years.
Investment portfolios or savings plans that were never closed.
Pension funds or compensation rights associated with employment long ago.

Even if relatives never knew the property existed, their right to claim it remains intact. However, procedural steps such as obtaining inheritance orders must still be completed before the property can be transferred or accessed.

Deadlines Related to Succession and Probate Orders

Although property rights do not expire, the legal process for obtaining an inheritance order involves deadlines. These deadlines do not prevent heirs from applying; they simply govern the administrative process for each application.

The two main orders needed to claim property are:

Succession Order – When no will exists.
Probate Order – When a valid will exists.

While there is no deadline for these applications, each application triggers a series of deadlines related to notifications and objections.

Notification Period

Heirs should be aware that, after applying, the Registrar publishes a notice, and the 14-day objection period is critical to protecting their rights.

If an heir does not respond within this period and later disagrees with the application, they may need to file a separate legal motion to reopen or challenge the case. Although possible, it becomes more complicated after the deadline.

Responding to Registrar Requests

The Registrar sometimes requests additional documents or clarifications. Although the law does not set a fixed number of days, the Registrar expects a response within 30 days. Failure to respond may delay the application or, in rare cases, lead to its dismissal.

Effect of Delays on the Inheritance Process

Even when no strict deadlines apply, long delays can complicate property claims. However, these delays do not eliminate heirs’ rights, encouraging them to remain persistent and proactive in their claims.

Delays can lead to:

Missing documentation, such as old bank statements or pension files.
Difficulty tracing property ownership when records are outdated or archived.
Challenges verifying identity due to name changes.
Additional requirements, such as affidavits to confirm facts that are no longer documented.

Although delays do not eliminate the right to claim property, they often make the process more demanding. This is why many families choose to start the process promptly once assets are discovered.

Deadlines for Claims Involving the Administrator General

The Administrator General (Apotropus Klali) receives assets that institutions cannot distribute because the heirs are unknown or inactive. These assets might include dormant bank accounts, old investments, or compensation rights. The law allows heirs to claim these assets, but specific deadlines apply depending on the asset type and how long it has been held in custody.

While the Administrator General does not impose a fixed deadline for most claims, practical deadlines exist based on:

Record retention policies at banks or institutions
Time required to verify ownership after many years
Administrative changes in record systems or formats

The longer an asset remains unclaimed, the more documentation may be required to establish the deceased’s connection to the asset. This does not eliminate the heirs’ rights but may complicate the retrieval process.

Deadlines for Contesting a Will

If a will exists, deadlines for contesting a will in Israel are stricter than those for claiming property. When a probate application is submitted:

A notice is published.
Heirs usually have 14 days to file an objection.

If an heir wishes to challenge the will after this period, they must submit a special motion to reopen proceedings, which requires presenting legal justification. This is more complicated than responding during the initial objection period.

Deadlines for Appealing Probate or Succession Decisions

If the Registrar or Family Court issues a decision that an heir believes is incorrect, the heir may appeal. The general deadline for appeals in probate matters is 45 days from the date of the decision.

If this deadline is missed, the heir may request an extension, but approval is not guaranteed. Courts tend to be stricter with appeal deadlines than with inheritance rights in general.

Deadlines Imposed by Financial Institutions

Some financial institutions may set procedural deadlines once an heir initiates a claim. For example:

Banks may require heirs to complete forms within a specific period.
Pension funds may request documentation within a specified timeframe.
Insurance companies often give fixed deadlines for providing missing information.

These deadlines are administrative rather than legal. If missed, heirs can usually restart the process, but doing so may delay asset release.

Deadlines That Apply to Heirs Living Abroad

Heirs who live outside Israel often worry that their physical distance might affect their rights or impose additional deadlines. Fortunately, Israeli inheritance law grants foreign heirs the same rights as local heirs. However, international heirs may face practical challenges involving documentation, certification, and response times.

Key timing considerations for heirs abroad include:

Obtaining apostilles for foreign documents can take longer depending on the country.
Coordinating notarization of affidavits before qualified notaries.
Translating documents into Hebrew through certified translators.
Meeting Registrar deadlines for submitting supplemental materials.

While these steps do not constitute legal deadlines that jeopardize the claim, they can affect how quickly the application progresses. To prevent unnecessary delays, many heirs abroad appoint an Israeli attorney as their legal representative to manage all submissions and communications directly in Israel.

Deadlines Related to Government Compensation or Benefits

Some types of property involve government-issued rights or compensation payments, which occasionally have different time-based rules. These may include compensation for past employment, restitution funds, or special benefits that the deceased never claimed.

Examples include:

Employment-related compensation that may require claims within a specific period after retirement or death.
Government restitution payments follow specific eligibility windows.
Public-sector pension corrections that can expire after a defined period.

The rules vary by specific benefit. Some benefits must be claimed within established time frames, while others remain available indefinitely. When dealing with government funds, heirs should act promptly to avoid missing any administrative deadlines outlined by the relevant agency.

Deadlines for Reconstructing Old Records

In older estates, especially those involving relatives who died many decades ago, important documents may be missing. Reconstructing older records has no specific deadline, but the process becomes more challenging over time. Archival materials may be harder to locate, institutions may have merged, or legacy systems may no longer be accessible.

Common examples include:

Old bank accounts opened before digital record systems.
Real estate records listed under older versions of names.
Pension records kept by employers that have since closed.
Property tax documents are stored in local municipal archives.

Because of these challenges, it is always advisable to begin reconstructing records as soon as unclaimed property is suspected. Although heirs do not lose their rights due to the passage of time, delays can complicate the evidentiary process.

Deadlines for Responding to Court Requests

In some cases, the inheritance process may be transferred from the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs to the Family Court when a case enters the court system, whether due to objections, disputes, or legal complexity. Additional deadlines apply.

Courts may require heirs to:

Submit affidavits within a set timeframe.
Respond to motions filed by other heirs.
Provide evidence or documents by specific dates.
Appear at scheduled hearings or provide remote testimony.

Missing court deadlines can delay the case or result in procedural disadvantages. Once the matter enters court proceedings, adherence to schedules becomes more critical than in the administrative stages.

When Deadlines Can Be Extended Under Israeli Law

Israeli law allows some flexibility when deadlines are missed, particularly when the heir can demonstrate good cause. Extensions may be granted in cases involving:

Delays caused by international document processing.
Difficulty locating heirs or obtaining family records.
Health-related reasons affecting an heir.
Complex estates involving multiple generations.

Courts generally prefer to resolve inheritance matters fairly and will sometimes grant additional time when justified.

However, extensions are more difficult to obtain in appeal deadlines or when contesting wills, where the law imposes stricter rules.

Deadlines Related to the Division or Transfer of Property

After heirs receive a succession or probate order, they may wonder whether they must promptly divide or transfer the property. In most cases, there is no legal deadline requiring heirs to immediately transfer real estate or divide funds, especially when all heirs agree.

However, delays may lead to practical challenges such as:

Accumulated property taxes owed by the estate.
Unpaid municipal debts tied to real estate.
Continued maintenance obligations for property ownership.
Bank account freezes that remain until the transfer is completed.

Although the law does not force heirs to finalize transfers by a specific date, taking action promptly prevents administrative issues and makes long-term management easier.

Deadlines for Selling or Transferring Inherited Real Estate

If heirs decide to sell inherited real estate, timing may be affected by market conditions or tax rules. While there is no legal requirement to sell within a specific period, tax implications can change over time. For example, property transfer taxes or capital gains calculations may differ depending on when the property is sold.

Additionally, potential buyers often require a clear title, so the property must first be transferred to the heirs’ names before a sale can proceed. This requires completing the inheritance order process, paying any outstanding municipal fees, and clearing any title issues.

Deadlines That Apply to Assets Held by Private Institutions

Some private financial institutions maintain their own administrative rules regarding unclaimed accounts. While these rules cannot override Israeli inheritance law, they may influence timelines for claim processing.

Examples include:

Banks require forms to be completed within a specific timeframe after initial contact.
Insurance companies are requesting updates or signatures within set periods.
Pension funds expect heirs to provide the missing documents within a defined window.

If heirs miss these deadlines, they can usually reopen the case by resubmitting documentation. However, doing so may delay the release of funds, so it is beneficial to respond promptly whenever an institution sets a timeline.

When Time is Not a Barrier to Recovery

Heirs often fear that too much time has passed since the deceased’s death, especially if the estate involves older property or long-forgotten accounts. Israeli law is unusually generous in this respect: most rights remain intact regardless of how much time has passed.

Time generally is not a barrier in cases involving:

Real estate that remains registered in the deceased’s name.
Bank accounts that were never closed.
Investment accounts left untouched for decades.
Pension or employment rights owed to the deceased.
Assets transferred to the Administrator General.

As long as the property remains in a registry, financial institution, or government database, heirs retain the right to claim it through the proper legal process.

How Aharoni Law Firm Helps Protect Heirs From Missing Deadlines

Aharoni Law Firm assists families worldwide in navigating time-sensitive and time-flexible aspects of Israeli inheritance law. By guiding heirs through procedural deadlines and helping them avoid unnecessary delays, the firm ensures that property rights are protected and preserved.

The firm provides:

Guidance on how to meet Registrar or court deadlines.
Assistance in gathering and preparing required documents.
Representation for heirs abroad through a valid power of attorney.
Monitoring of legal notices and submission periods.
Handling of communications with financial institutions or government agencies.

Whether the estate is new or has remained untouched for decades, the firm ensures the process proceeds efficiently and in compliance with Israeli law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there ever a time when inheritance rights expire?

No. Property can be claimed as long as it still exists under the deceased’s name.

What if I miss the objection deadline?

You may need to file a special request to reopen the case, which requires legal justification.

Do appeal deadlines expire?

Yes. Appeals must be filed within 45 days of the decision.

Do heirs abroad lose any rights due to distance?

No. Heirs abroad retain the same rights but may need additional time for documentation.

Can delays prevent asset recovery?

Delays can complicate recovery, but do not eliminate the right to inherit.

When Experience Matters, Call Aharoni Law Firm

If you have questions about time limits or need assistance claiming inherited property in Israel, Aharoni Law Firm can guide you through every step. To speak with an attorney experienced in inheritance and property recovery, contact Aharoni Law Firm at 888-923-0022 or via our online form for a free consultation.