Family Law
Family law in Israel is a complex and highly specialized system. Matters of a familial nature are governed here by both civil and religious courts. To marry or divorce, to formalize inheritance rights, one must have a deep understanding of this specificity. However, understanding alone is not sufficient. At times, it’s impossible to navigate without the assistance of a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer. Hence, in Israel, a family lawyer, much like a family doctor, is practically indispensable for every responsible citizen.
IN WHICH CASES MAY YOU NEED A LAWYER?
Prenuptial Agreement
A prenuptial agreement is certainly not a guarantee of marital happiness. However, in the event of a divorce, which no one is immune to, it is the prenuptial agreement that can significantly alleviate the lives of both spouses and their children. Therefore, entering into a prenuptial agreement is a mature and responsible step that can help prevent many problems. A prenuptial contract can be made before or after marriage registration, as well as in the absence of an official marriage for any civil union, including same-sex couples. It is never too late to conclude a prenuptial agreement.
Divorce in Israel
If you’re contemplating divorce, refrain from seeking advice from parents, relatives, and friends. Instead, consult with your lawyer, as they will determine what you’ll retain from the divorce process and how swiftly it will proceed. In Israel, divorces are overseen by both the religious court and the civil family court. There’s a common belief that the rabbinical court often favors the man, while the family court leans towards the woman. However, this is a stereotype, and each case has its unique circumstances. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to understand that once the divorce process begins in either the rabbinical or family court, it cannot be transferred to the other. Therefore, the initiating party holds significance. Hence, reach out to your lawyer promptly.
DNA. Establishing paternity through genetic testing
Genetic testing in Israel serves several purposes: establishing paternity, determining or revoking alimony, receiving inheritance, and asserting the right to repatriation. A DNA test for paternity is only conducted upon a ruling by the family court. Results from genetic laboratories abroad are not recognized by Israeli courts. It’s impossible to undergo a DNA test for paternity without legal representation. The process is tightly regulated, and the court will not order a genetic examination without the presence of a lawyer specialized in family law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rights and obligations do repatriates have in the event of a divorce in Israel?
Repatriates, like other citizens of Israel, are bound by the existing family legislation of the country. Their rights and obligations in the event of a divorce are governed by Israeli law. However, there is one notable difference for new repatriates: if within the initial three years following repatriation, the couple opts for an official divorce, the citizenship status acquired by the non-Jewish spouse may be jeopardized. Such a marriage might be perceived as entered into or sustained solely for the purpose of obtaining citizenship.
What are the rights of heirs in Israel and how to formalize inheritance?
Executing a will in Israel necessitates adherence to legal regulations. The will must be drafted by an Israeli lawyer and deposited with the Registrar. In the absence of a will, inherited property is primarily divided among the deceased’s spouse and children. The spouse inherits the entirety only if the deceased has no children, siblings, or parents.
Do civil partners have the right to inheritance?
If the deceased civil partner did not leave a will, their surviving civil partner may file a lawsuit to be recognized as a spouse with inheritance rights, provided there is evidence of cohabitation.
Why enter into a prenuptial agreement?
A prenuptial agreement enables spouses to prearrange financial and property matters, as well as custody issues regarding current and even future children, in the event of a divorce. This can be beneficial for safeguarding the rights and interests of each spouse in the future.
How to draft a prenuptial agreement in Israel?
The proper procedure for entering into a prenuptial agreement is to consult with a lawyer specializing in family law. The agreement is drafted with the involvement of a lawyer and becomes legally binding only upon a court decision, unlike a standard contract, which takes effect once signed by the parties.
How to obtain citizenship for a child born to Israeli citizens abroad?
By law, registration must be completed at the Israeli Ministry of Interior or at the consulate abroad within 30 days from the date of the child’s birth. The website of the Israeli consulate in the country of residence provides the necessary information regarding the required documents for timely registration of the child as an Israeli citizen. If the child was born to an Israeli father and a foreign mother out of wedlock or if registration occurs later than one year from the date of birth, a DNA test may be required by the decision of the family court in Israel to obtain Israeli citizenship.
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About us
The office provides legal services in the field of immigration, family, commercial and labor law, conducts real estate transactions, develops individual solutions for businesses and individuals, and provides legal support to Israeli and international companies. Our lawyers regularly participate in the work of specialized commissions at the Chamber of Lawyers of Israel and the Knesset, create judicial precedents, improve regulatory mechanisms in various areas of law, provide advisory assistance to official representative offices of foreign states and significant public organizations located in Israel and abroad.
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Veronika Visocka
Very professional company with a customer-centric attitude. They helped with a complicated case, all ended up being seamless, though before it took 1.5 years of non-stop back and forth. Our leading lawyer did all the preparations, consultations and paperwork.
Definitely highly recommended!
Oleg Barbakov
I want to thank the team of professionals of Alex Zernopolsky! They helped my son in obtaining Israeli citizenship! The work was done in a timely manner, all obstacles were overcome, and the results were excellent! The staff themselves are responsive, kind people, always ready to help with any request! It’s a pleasure to work with them! Thank you to Alex for the help and to his entire team: Anna, Valeria, and Yana! I wish them health, and I’m confident that they will continue to help people for a long time!
Miri and Sergey
We are a couple who came to lawyer Alex Zernopolsky after numerous rejections from the Ministry of Interior, during the process of obtaining citizenship for my husband. We had faced a very unpleasant experience and were literally shaken by repeated encounters with officials who were insensitive to people’s feelings, and their comments were inappropriate, to put it mildly. After turning to the Ministry of Interior, Alex and lawyer Anna from his office, who were always ready to listen to us and always there for us, my husband finally received citizenship a week ago. This happened thanks to the professional and humane approach of Alex Zernopolsky’s law firm. We are very happy that fate brought us together and we can recommend this office to everyone who wants to feel at home, and the lawyers will take care of your interests. This is the best that exists in today’s market in Israel. Alex delivers on what he promises, one hundred percent.
Victor Vakhshtayn
A lawyer in Israel is not a luxury, but a guide through the bureaucratic hell that is the state apparatus. However, it’s hard to call it an apparatus because none of the circles of hell exchange information with any other, ordinary demons have far more authority than their superiors, and sinners can appeal to the law – earthly or heavenly – as much as they like, but in every district office of hell, there is an ‘internal instruction’ that contradicts each law. (And then another one that contradicts the previous one.) In the end, laws come and go with each government, but the demons stay at their cauldrons for generations. Perhaps this system was invented by the founding fathers themselves to prevent the usurpation of power in the future. Try to build totalitarianism in a country where every street-level bureaucrat is, at heart, an anarcho-syndicalist. Therefore, going to court in Israel is not a challenge to the state, but a normal way to start a dialogue with it. It’s all like at the market: if you don’t bargain, you don’t respect. If you don’t sue, it means you don’t acknowledge. So an Israeli lawyer is always a bit more than just a lawyer. He combines the skills of Virgil, a stalker, a dramatic actor, a social worker, an ethnographer, and a psychotherapist. At least, a good lawyer does. I was incredibly lucky with my lawyer. With Alex Zernopolsky, we not only won the case. I found thirty new research topics – so fascinating was the structure of the Israeli bureaucracy ‘from the inside’. Now we will write in co-authorship.
Maxim Katz
I personally use the services of this law firm, and when someone from our team needs some help, we turn to Zernopolsky. So I am happy to recommend him.
The office of Alex deals with any issues in the field of immigration law in Israel: repatriation, legalization of family members, proof of paternity and kinship through DNA, and any complex cases.
Mikhail Pellivert
Not an advertisement, but a recommendation! I don’t know how often you have legal questions about various aspects of life in Israel, but I’ll venture to guess quite frequently. Pay attention to the channel (https://t.me/pravo_israel) of lawyer Alex Zernopolsky, – you will learn a lot of useful and instructive things. Here, for example, is a list (https://t.me/pravo_israel/129) of countries you can enter without a visa with a laissez-passer. In short, I sincerely recommend subscribing.
Roman Super
In Israel, where every third person calls themselves a lawyer, it’s really not easy to find a good one. A childhood friend introduced me to the office of Alex Zernopolsky in 2015. And since then, if any legal issues arise (and they do often in Israel), I go to Alex. All the intricacies and details about repatriation and the post-repatriation period. Family reunification problems. Labor conflicts. Difficulties with banks. Gay marriages. Traditional marriages. Certificates. Apostilles. Notaries. Passport. Laissez-passer. Driver’s licenses. How to bypass 5 windows in two weeks, not two months. How not to go crazy dealing with the immigration service. And millions of other problems in a country where bureaucracy isn’t very friendly to people — that’s for Alex and his guys. And if you find other lawyers in Tel Aviv who respond to messages and calls on the first try, let me know. So far, I’ve only encountered such luxury in Israel here.
Vladimir Brailovsky
We are grateful to Alex Zernopolsky for his significant help in our difficult situation. We were denied citizenship three times, but thanks to Alex and his firm’s efforts, we obtained a residence permit and are confident that our problem will be fully resolved soon.
Andrew Tsaran
Highly recommended professional attorney office. Dedicated service, timely responses, amazing conduct in the court. Used their service several times over the years.
Igal K
I want to thank Alex Zernopolsky for the professional consultation and help with the complex issues that we couldn’t figure out on our own. We read through chats and channels and almost made mistakes. Thank you guys for the help!