Since October 7th, the legal reality for many families in Israel has changed dramatically. During this period, over 1,000 applications for inheritance orders and will execution have been filed on behalf of families of fallen soldiers and murder victims. This is an unprecedented number that illustrates how critical the inheritance issue is and how it affects families' ability to cope with loss.

Lack of Advance Preparation – Most Victims Left No Will

According to state data, out of all the applications filed recently, only approximately 60 of them were applications for will execution orders. This means that the vast majority of victims had not prepared an organized will, leading to legally, financially, and emotionally complex situations. The absence of a will can cause significant delays in estate distribution, legal problems, and even family conflicts.

What Does the Law Provide in the Absence of a Will?

Israeli inheritance law provides that when a person dies without leaving a will, their property is divided among heirs according to a predetermined order of priority:

• A spouse inherits 50% of the estate.
• Children divide the remaining 50% of the estate equally among themselves.
• If there are no children, part of the inheritance may pass to the parents or siblings of the deceased.

When minor children are among the heirs, any action regarding assets requires approval from authorities such as the Public Guardian and family courts. This means that the surviving parent may struggle to perform basic financial actions, such as selling an apartment or withdrawing funds from a joint account.

Examples from the Field: A Short Will That Changed Reality

Recent cases illustrate how a simple will can prevent legal difficulties. For example, a reservist who was called up at the beginning of the fighting decided to write a short will in which he simply stated: "I bequeath all my property to my wife." Just days later, he was killed in combat. Thanks to this will, his wife received all the assets directly without the need for complex legal proceedings, sparing her additional suffering beyond the pain of loss.

In contrast, in many other cases where no will was prepared, family members were forced to cope with burdensome and complex bureaucracy that lasted months or even years. For example, when an apartment is registered in the name of the deceased but is divided between a spouse and minor children, legal approvals are required for every action – a process that can complicate daily life management.

Filing a Will Online – A Simple and Effective Solution

To avoid these legal problems, it is now possible to file a will online with the Inheritance Registry. This is an innovative service that allows any person to upload their will securely and store it in a state digital file. In case of death, the authorities will be notified of the will, and it will be opened and documented to the heirs according to the instructions left in it.

Advantages of filing a will online:

• Ensures that the will is not lost or damaged.
• Eases the family's receipt of the inheritance in accordance with the deceased's wishes.
• Saves valuable time and resources in legal proceedings.
• Allows for corrections and changes to the will easily and conveniently.

Special Recommendation: Wills for Soldiers and Reservists

The current reality in Israel emphasizes the importance of making a will, especially for populations such as soldiers, female soldiers, reservists, and security personnel. Many young people, including those with minor children, do not see a will as urgent, but in practice, it is a vital document that can prevent immense headaches for family members in case of disaster.

Therefore, the overarching recommendation is that anyone in regular service, in the reserves, or in a dangerous security position should dedicate a few minutes to preparing an organized will, even if it is a basic and short document. A will can be written by hand, through an attorney, or online, so that assets are transferred according to the deceased's wishes, rather than in accordance with general law.

In Summary

Recent events in Israel have brought the issue of wills to the forefront. The large number of inheritance order applications, coupled with the absence of wills among most of the deceased, underscores how important it is to prepare in advance and ensure that our loved ones do not find themselves in complex situations facing the legal system. The solution is simple and available: preparing an organized will and keeping it in a secure place – a small action that can change lives.