When a person dies without leaving a valid will, their estate is distributed in accordance with the provisions of the Israeli Inheritance Law. The statutory rules of intestate succession provide as follows:
- Where the Deceased Is Survived by a Spouse and Children or Parents
If the deceased leaves behind a surviving spouse and children or parents, the surviving spouse inherits:
all household movable property forming part of the shared household, including the family passenger vehicle; and
50% of the remainder of the estate. - The remaining 50% is distributed among the deceased’s children and, where applicable, parents. The deceased’s children take precedence over the parents. Where there is more than one child, they inherit in equal shares. The same principle applies to multiple surviving parents.
- Where the Deceased Is Survived by a Spouse but No Children or Parents
If the deceased leaves a surviving spouse but no children or parents, while leaving siblings, nieces or nephews, or grandparents, the surviving spouse inherits: - Where the Deceased Is Survived Only by a Spouse
If the deceased leaves a surviving spouse and no other statutory heirs—including children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, nieces or nephews, or grandparents—the surviving spouse inherits the entire estate. - Where the Deceased Leaves No Surviving Spouse
If there is no surviving spouse, the estate is distributed equally among the deceased’s children and descendants. If there are no descendants, the estate passes to the deceased’s parents. - Where the Deceased Leaves No Children, Grandchildren, or Parents
If the deceased leaves no children, grandchildren, or parents, the estate is distributed equally among the deceased’s grandparents and other heirs entitled under the statutory order of succession.Where the Deceased Has No Statutory Heirs
If the deceased leaves no statutory heirs—including descendants, parents and their descendants, or grandparents and their descendants—the entire estate passes to the State of Israel.
