You are living in the U.S., Canada, or even Europe, and one day you open your mailbox and find an official-looking letter from the state of Israel. It states you may be entitled to property or assets you did not know existed. It sounds promising – but also unsettling. Is it genuine? Why are they contacting you only now? What are you supposed to do next?

If you received a letter about unclaimed property in Israel, you are not alone. Israeli Gov authorities have been reaching out to individuals and families around the world as part of a long-running effort to return dormant assets to any rightful heirs. Billions of shekels’ worth of property, funds, and investments remain unclaimed in Israel, often because families lost track of them decades ago or the deceased did not leave any children, and you are part of the lineage.

The guide below, from our experienced Israeli attorney, Rahav D. Aharoni, Adv., will explain what the letter means, why you were contacted, and the next steps you should take—clearly, calmly, and without unnecessary legal jargon.

Who Is Contacting You and Why?

The letter comes from Israel’s Unit for the Location and Restitution of Unclaimed Property, which operates under the Israeli Ministry of Justice. This is a government body, not a private company. Its role is to locate heirs to assets left behind when the original owners died or disappeared, with no one formally claiming the property.

Under Israeli law, “abandoned” or unclaimed property includes assets whose owners cannot be located or whose estates were never settled. This can include real estate, bank accounts, securities, insurance proceeds, and other financial assets.

There are many reasons these assets went unclaimed. In the early 20th century, many Jews living abroad purchased land in what later became the state of Israel. Some families emigrated, others were affected by wars, and many estates were never formally probated. In other cases, Holocaust victims or early immigrants left behind assets that surviving relatives never knew existed. Before modern databases and global communication, these connections were easily lost.

When the Unit contacts you, it means their research suggests you may be related to a person who owned property or assets in Israel and whose estate was never claimed. The letter is not a guarantee, but it is a strong indication of a possible lineage connection to the deceased.

Is the Letter Legitimate or a Scam?

Skepticism is healthy. Any unexpected letter involving foreign property or money deserves due diligence.

If the letter truly comes from Israel’s Unit for the Location and Restitution of Unclaimed Property, it is very likely legitimate. This unit is part of the Israeli government and has legal authority to manage and return unclaimed assets. Many heirs first learn about Israeli property through exactly this type of letter.

That said, verification is essential.

The safest approach is not to respond immediately and not to provide personal documents right away. Instead, have the letter reviewed by an experienced Israeli attorney who knows the government bodies and specializes in inheritance and unclaimed property. An experienced lawyer can confirm whether a real file exists and whether the government’s outreach is authentic.

Be especially cautious if your first contact came from a private individual or land hunter companies rather than the Israeli government itself. Some asset hunters locate heirs and offer to “help” in exchange for a large percentage of the asset’s value. These parties are not disclosing all the data and, in many cases, are worse; they work for a third party.

Verification should always come before action.

Why Were You Contacted Specifically?

The Unit uses a closed list of genealogical research to trace heirs worldwide. Their work often includes reviewing immigration records, historical land registries, estate files, family trees, and archival documents. If you received a letter, it means the Unit believes there is a credible family lineage between you and the testator.

You may never have heard of this property because the owner may have passed away long before you were born or even in the last 25 years, relatives moved to other countries, or no one realized an estate in Israel existed. In many families, these connections disappear over generations.

The letter is the government’s way of saying: We believe you may have a legal connection to an unclaimed asset, and we are notifying you of its existence.

The letter does not explain what the asset is, where it is, or how much it is worth. That information is intentionally withheld until legal heirship is proven.

What You Should Do After Receiving the Letter

1. Speak With an Israeli Attorney First

Your first step should be to consult an attorney who is licensed in Israel and experienced in inheritance law and unclaimed property matters.

Do not rush to respond on your own. An attorney can:

• Confirm whether the letter is authentic
• Check if an unclaimed property file exists
• Explain what type of asset may be involved
• Outline the legal process ahead and come up with a strategy.

Most of this can be handled remotely. You do not need to travel to Israel to verify or pursue a claim. A lawyer can communicate with Israeli authorities on your behalf and manage the process from start to finish.

It is important to understand that the Israeli government does not handle the inheritance process for you. Their only job by law is to notify potential heirs—but it is up to you to legally establish your rights.

2. Do Not Respond Hastily or Overshare

Many recipients feel compelled to respond immediately with family details or personal documents. This often backfires.

The Unit does not disclose asset details until heirship is proven, no matter how much information you provide early on. Premature responses can create confusion, inconsistencies, or unnecessary delays.

Let your attorney guide the communication. Knowing what to submit—and when—matters. Careful handling at this stage protects your position and keeps the process efficient.

3. Start Gathering Family Documentation

While verification is underway, begin collecting records that help establish your family connection. Useful documents may include:

• Birth and death certificates
• Marriage certificates and name change records
• Wills or probate documents
• Immigration or naturalization records
• Old correspondence mentioning Israel or property
• Hebrew versions of family names
• Postcards with the handwriting of the deceased, if they exist.

Do not worry if some records are missing. Many claims rely on a combination of documents and sworn statements. The goal is to reconstruct the family lineage between you and the original owner.

This preparation saves time later when formal legal filings are required.

4. Understand the Legal Process Ahead

Claiming unclaimed property in Israel involves legal proceedings. In most cases, this includes obtaining Israeli inheritance orders for the original owner and, in some cases, for intermediate heirs.

Once inheritance rights are formally recognized, an application is submitted to release the asset from government custody. If the asset is real estate, ownership must be registered. If it is financial, the funds are transferred through legal channels.

This process takes time and patience. It is structured, document-heavy, and conducted in Hebrew and some in English. Professional representation makes a significant difference.

How Our Israeli Law Firm Can Help

We have extensive experience handling Israeli inheritance and unclaimed property matters. We have helped hundreds of clients locate, verify, and successfully claim assets in Israel—often involving complex family histories and decades-old estates.

Our work includes:

• Verifying unclaimed property files
• Reconstructing family inheritance chains
• Handling Israeli probate proceedings
• Communicating with government authorities
• Securing the release of property and assets

Clients work with us remotely, receive clear guidance, and remain informed at every stage. Our focus is on accuracy, discretion, and results-oriented.

We Provide Complimentary Consultation

If you received a letter regarding unclaimed property in Israel and would like clarification before taking action, please contact our firm for a complimentary consultation.

We will review the letter and outline the next steps—without obligation. We have helped hundreds of individuals and families recover property and assets in Israel, and we are confident we can simplify the process for you and your family.

A single letter can uncover a forgotten chapter of your family’s history. The right guidance from an Israeli lawyer at our firm ensures it is handled to the T.

Call our firm at 888-923-0022 or schedule a free consultation through our online contact form.