Cohen Segelov & co

22/06/2026

Wills and Marriage

The laws relating to wills and marriage in Israel differ from those in many Western countries.

It is therefore very important to prepare or revise a will when getting married, divorcing, having children from more than one marriage, or when there are specific assets that need protection.

Marriage in Israel does not nullify or cancel a pre-existing will. If you do not have a will in Israel, the law will automatically grant your spouse rights to household assets, such as the family home, car, and furniture, as well as a significant share of other jointly owned assets.

Under Israeli law, a spouse is generally entitled to half of the property acquired during the marriage, excluding inherited assets.

To ensure that a surviving spouse cannot alter the agreed distribution of assets after the first spouse passes away, many couples choose to prepare a mutual will.

Our office has more than 35 years of experience in Israeli estate law and wills.

Please feel free to contact us:

📞 +972 3 613 4244
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.cslawyers.co.il

19/06/2026

For many of our clients, purchasing a home in Israel is a dream come true! However, the process is complex and different from other Western nations.

To navigate this process, Cohen Segelov Advocates recommend you seek legal advice from the start.

In a real estate transaction, your lawyer needs to check:

the legal status and chain of ownership of the property.
the registration status of the property.
the zoning regulations and if required seek the export opinion of a land appraiser.
the taxation issues according to your individual status.
negotiate the payment terms and other conditions of the purchase.
review the sale agreement.
make sure that you can transfer the funds for purchasing the property or borrow the funds.
calculate the taxes according es (foreign resident, new immigrant, returning Israel
pay the taxes.
Once the contract is signed, register a cautionary note in your name over the property.
Once the apartment has been fully paid for, receive the keys.
Ensure that the apartment is registered in your name.

If you don’t understand HEBREW, then Cohen Segelov Advocates will translate the contract into English and explain its contents to you in detail.

Our office has more than 35 years of expertise in Israeli real estate law.

Please feel free to contact us: 97236134244, [email protected], www.cslawyers.co.il

16/06/2026

Is your financial suitcase packed and protected?

Before getting married, most couples spend countless hours planning the wedding, the home, and their future together. Yet many overlook one of the most important conversations they can have: financial transparency.

I recently had the pleasure of joining Matchmaker Shana Tibi to discuss why open and honest conversations about finances are essential before marriage, and how couples can take practical legal steps to protect themselves while building a strong foundation for their future.

Financial transparency is not about mistrust - it is about clarity, communication, and ensuring that both partners enter marriage with confidence and understanding.

Thank you, Shana, for creating a platform to discuss these important topics and helping couples start their journey together with the right tools and guidance.

Have you had the financial conversation with your fiancé or spouse?

Watch the FULL 30 minute episode here: https://lnkd.in/gQvWhZNv

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

16/06/2026

Be Prepared with Your Legal Briefcase

We spend most of our lives worrying about others - our children, partners, spouses, parents, and siblings - and dealing with their affairs. Too often, we don’t set aside time to deal with our own affairs.

To ensure that your wishes are respected during your lifetime and after your passing, it is extremely important to prepare and sign:

A Will - specifying who will inherit your assets after you die.

A Notarized Power of Attorney – allowing a nominated person to act for and on your behalf during your lifetime, provided you have legal capacity.

An Enduring Power of Attorney (also known as a “Living Will”) - allowing you to nominate a person or persons to act for and on your behalf regarding your financial, medical, and/or day-to-day affairs when you no longer have the legal capacity to do so.

Don’t kick the can down the road any longer.

Advocates Lisa Segelov and Gidon Cohen of Cohen Segelov Advocates can provide these services and bring more than 35 years of experience in these areas of law. They hold the specific qualifications required in Israel to prepare and advise on Enduring Powers of Attorney.

Please feel free to contact us:

📞 +972 3 613 4244
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 www.cslawyers.co.il

11/06/2026

How do we, as parents, protect ourselves if we want to give money to our son and daughter-in-law to purchase an apartment in Israel?

Our clients are parents who wish to assist their son and daughter-in-law in purchasing their first home in Israel by providing them with a considerable amount of money towards the purchase. Our clients sought advice as to what happens to these funds in the event that their son and daughter-in-law separate or dissolve their relationship/marriage.

Will the funds that our clients gave be returned to them? Is the money construed as a “loan” or was it a gift? Does it form part of the joint property of the couple?

Answers to these questions are never straightforward unless they are clearly defined in advance. This is why it is highly recommended that a couple sign a prenuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement that defines the division of property and financial responsibilities in the event of divorce or separation within a clear framework.

A solid prenuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement will:

• Define the joint property of a couple;
• Define the personal property that belongs to one party only and is not considered joint property;
• Define how to deal with any parental financial assistance, whether as a gift (which does not have to be repaid) or a loan (which may have to be repaid) to the couple; and
• Define the division of individual property and joint property.

A prenuptial agreement can also define other issues such as spousal support, debts, inheritance rights, business ownership and interests, and other financial matters in the event of separation or divorce.

In addition, parents can consider providing the money as a discretionary loan, which can offer even greater protection in the event of a divorce or bankruptcy.

Cohen Segelov Advocates⁠ has more than 35 years of expertise in the preparation and drafting of prenuptial and cohabitation agreements.

Please feel free to contact us: +972 3 613 4244 | [email protected] | www.cslawyers.co.il

09/06/2026

Yesterday, we were once again reminded just how important it is to have a will.

The father of one of our clients recently passed away, leaving behind three children. Sadly, he did not leave a will.

About ten years ago, our client joined his father’s business. It was clearly understood between them that he would inherit the business upon his father’s passing.

Our client’s father assured him that he would take care of the necessary arrangements.

Unfortunately, he never formalized his wishes, and his promise was not legally secured.

As a result, our client will not automatically inherit the business.

If you want specific assets to pass to a specific person, it is essential to have a properly drafted will in place.

Cohen Segelov Advocates has more than 35 years of experience in estate planning, inheritance matters, and family law.

05/06/2026

BUYER BEWARE!!!

It’s that simple - buying property in Israel is different from buying property anywhere else.

Purchasing real estate in Israel is very different from buying property overseas for several reasons:

* There is no standard sale contract.
* The sale contract is the binding document of the transaction. If a term or provision is not included in the contract, it is generally not part of the deal.
* There is no single, central property registry in Israel. It is therefore essential to verify where the ownership rights to the property are recorded.
* All due diligence and property checks should be completed before signing the sale contract.
* Arrange your financing before signing. If you require a mortgage, obtain the bank’s approval confirming your eligibility and approved loan amount before entering into a binding agreement.
* Be aware of the taxes associated with the transaction. Property purchases in Israel are subject to acquisition tax, with rates varying according to the purchaser’s status.
* Make sure you fully understand what you are buying. For example, a “5-room apartment” in Israel typically consists of 4 bedrooms and a living room.
* Verify the exact location of any parking space or storage unit included with the property.
* Real estate transaction documents are generally drafted in Hebrew. Ensure that all documents are translated and fully explained to you before signing. Under Israeli law, claiming that you did not understand the documents because you do not read Hebrew is generally not a valid legal defense.

Advocates Lisa Segelov and Gidon Cohen of Cohen Segelov Advocates are experienced real estate lawyers with more than 30 years of expertise in Israeli real estate law. They specialize in assisting foreign residents, new immigrants, and returning Israelis with property purchases in Israel.

For further information, please contact us:
+972 3 613 4244 | www.cslawyers.co.il | [email protected]

01/06/2026

The 5 Most Important Facts About an Israeli Enduring Power of Attorney

Today in Israel, every person has the right to decide in advance who will care for them and how, in the event they lose the ability to make decisions independently, by preparing, signing, and registering an Enduring Power of Attorney (in Hebrew: Yipui Koach Mitmashech).

The 5 most important points regarding an Israeli Enduring Power of Attorney are:

* You can clearly define your wishes regarding your daily care and lifestyle, financial affairs, and medical treatment.
* It only comes into effect if you lose mental capacity.
* It must be registered with the Ministry of Justice in order to be legally valid.
* Only certified lawyers in Israel who have completed specialized training and received the required accreditation may handle this process.
* It is fully revocable, meaning that as long as you remain of sound mind, you may amend or cancel it at any time.

Both Advocates Lisa Segelov and Gidon Cohen of Cohen Segelov Advocates are qualified Israeli attorneys accredited in the preparation and registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss your Enduring Power of Attorney.
Telephone: +972 3 613 4244
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cslawyers.co.il

28/05/2026

Buying an Apartment in Israel 🇮🇱 The 6 Most Frequent Questions

Can non-residents and foreigners buy real estate in Israel?
Of course, as there are usually no restrictions on the purchase of real estate in Israel by non-residents.

What is “Tabu”?
Tabu is the term given to the Israeli Land Registration Office. Your property may be registered in the Land Registration Office, especially if it is private land. This is a matter for your lawyer to check.

What is the “Minhal”?
The Minhal is the Israel Land Authority. The majority of land in Israel is leasehold land (leases range from 49-99 years), and it is usually registered with the Minhal.

Do I need a lawyer for the purchase or sale of real estate in Israel?
It is imperative that a seller or buyer uses a specialized real estate lawyer to act on his/her behalf.

The role of the lawyer is not just an administrative one, as in other countries. In Israel, one’s lawyer needs to check the title of the property, the details of the registration, the potential taxes to be incurred, and the sale agreement.

The sale agreement is NOT a standard contract. A sale agreement is usually prepared by the seller’s/developer’s lawyer.

Can a foreigner get a mortgage from an Israeli bank?
Yes, however, you will be required to furnish documentation, including evidence of income.

What is a minimum down payment?
For a foreigner, Israeli banks usually require a down payment of 50% of the purchase price, as they will generally only approve up to 50% financing.

Advocates Lisa Segelov and Gidon Cohen of Cohen Segelov Advocates are specialized real estate lawyers and have more than 30 years of experience in real estate law in Israel. They specialize in assisting foreign residents, new immigrants and returning Israelis purchase property in Israel.

Please feel free to contact us on +97236134244; www.cslawyers.co.il

25/05/2026

Are Ketuba rights enforceable?

The Ketuba (Jewish wedding contract) is a document signed by the husband during the wedding ceremony, in which he commits to compensating his wife with the amount stated in the ketuba in the event of divorce or widowhood. The purpose of the ketuba is to ensure that the wife will be properly provided for.

According to Halacha (Jewish law), the ketuba is a legally binding contract. This means that a wife may file a claim to receive the amount stated in the ketuba if her husband initiates divorce proceedings without justification, or if the divorce is by mutual consent. In Israel, the Rabbinical Court has sole jurisdiction over ketuba rights and may order the husband to pay the ketuba amount to the wife. This means that unless the husband can convince the Rabbinical Court that there is a valid reason not to pay the amount stated in the ketuba — for example, that the wife is not entitled to ketuba rights, or that a reduced amount should be paid — he may be legally obligated to pay the ketuba amount regardless of fault or blame on his part.

It should be noted that there are certain circumstances in which a woman may lose her right to receive the ketuba amount. In cases where the wife is entitled to money or assets as part of the division of property between the couple, the value of her share in the joint assets is often deducted from the ketuba amount. In many cases in Israel today, ketuba rights are waived for the reasons mentioned above.

Generally, courts outside of Israel do not enforce ketuba rights, although the ketuba is often used as a basis for negotiations during divorce settlement discussions.

It is important to understand that ketuba rights may be enforceable. Therefore, any man or woman going through divorce proceedings should plan his or her legal strategy in advance in order to achieve the best possible outcome regarding entitlement to, or release from, ketuba rights.

Cohen Segelov Advocates has more than 35 years of expertise in the area of family law.

Please feel free to contact us:
97236134244
[email protected]
www.cslawyers.co.il