Home / Blog / Notarial Will in Israel — Why It Matters & How It Differs from a Regular Will
BEITON & Co | 2026-03-31
Notarial Will in Israel — Why It Matters & How It Differs from a Regular Will
A notarial will is one of the legally recognized ways to create a valid will in Israel under the Inheritance Law, 1965 (חוק הירושה, תשכ"ה-1965). It is a will made before a notary — a lawyer with at least 10 years of experience who is certified by the Ministry of Justice. A notarial will is considered the strongest type of will from a legal standpoint, and it is extremely difficult to contest in court.
What Is a Notarial Will and What Does the Law Say?
Section 22 of the Inheritance Law (חוק הירושה) states that a will before an authority is made "by the testator orally before a judge, court registrar, or notary, or by submitting the will in writing to a judge, registrar, or notary."
In practice, the notary is the most common authority before whom such wills are made. The notary:
- Identifies the testator using a valid ID
- Verifies that the testator is acting of their own free will and without coercion
- Reads the will aloud to the testator (or the testator submits it in writing)
- Certifies in writing that the testator declared this to be their will
- Signs and stamps — the notarial certificate constitutes sufficient evidence under Section 19 of the Notaries Law (חוק הנוטריונים)
How a Notarial Will Compares to Other Types of Wills
Israeli law recognizes four types of wills. Here are the key differences:
Why is a notarial will stronger?
- No witnesses needed — the notary serves as the authority
- The notary verifies legal capacity — making it difficult to later claim the testator did not understand
- Official document with stamp and signature — hard to allege forgery
- The notary keeps a copy — if the document is lost, there is a backup
Mutual Will for Spouses
A notarial will is an excellent solution for couples who want to create a mutual will — a will in which each spouse bequeaths to the other, and after both have passed, the estate goes to the children (or other heirs).
Section 8A of the Inheritance Law recognizes mutual wills and grants them special protection: revoking a mutual will by one spouse requires notifying the other.
In a notarial mutual will, the notary ensures both spouses understand the implications — including the restriction on unilateral revocation.
The Process of Making a Notarial Will
Step 1 — Preparation. Prepare a list of your assets, heirs, and how you wish to distribute them. If you have special wishes (conditions, endowments, trusts) — consult with a lawyer in advance.
Step 2 — Meeting with the notary. Come to the notary's office with a valid ID. The notary will discuss your wishes, verify that you are acting of your own free will, and confirm you understand the implications.
Step 3 — Reading and approval. The notary reads the will aloud to you. You confirm that this is your will and sign.
Step 4 — Notarial certification. The notary attaches a signed and stamped certificate and keeps a copy at their office.
Step 5 (recommended) — Deposit with the Inheritance Registrar. You can deposit the will with the Inheritance Registrar (רשם לענייני ירושה) to ensure it will be found when needed.
Notarial Will Fees in Israel (2026)
Fees are set by the Notaries Regulations (Service Fees), 1978 (תקנות הנוטריונים (שכר שירותים), תשל"ט-1978). All prices are before VAT (18%):
Calculation examples:
- Will for one person = 293 ₪ + VAT = 345.74 ₪
- Mutual will for a couple = 293 + 147 = 440 ₪ + VAT = 519.20 ₪
Want to calculate the exact price? Use our price calculator.
Important distinction: The notary fee covers certification of the will only. If you need assistance drafting the will's content (wording, legal advice), that involves a separate legal fee.
Documents to Bring
- Valid ID — Israeli ID card or passport
- List of assets — real estate, bank accounts, investments, vehicles
- Details of heirs — full names and ID numbers
- Previous will (if any) — to explicitly revoke it
When Should You Update Your Will?
A notarial will is not a one-time document. It is recommended to update it in the following situations:
- Marriage, divorce, or becoming a widow/widower
- Birth of children or grandchildren
- Purchase or sale of a significant asset
- Major change in relationship with an heir
- Changes in inheritance law
- Every 5-10 years — even if nothing has changed, to confirm the will still reflects your wishes
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can a notarial will be revoked?
Answer: Yes. The testator can revoke or modify their will at any time, as long as they have legal capacity. Revocation is done by making a new will that explicitly revokes the previous one, or by destroying the will.
Question: Is a notarial will better than a will made before witnesses?
Answer: Legally, both types are valid. However, a notarial will is much harder to contest in court because the notary certifies identification, free will, and legal capacity. With a will before witnesses, heirs may argue that the witnesses were disqualified or that the testator was under duress.
Question: How long does it take to make a notarial will?
Answer: The meeting typically lasts 30-60 minutes. If the will is straightforward and prepared in advance, it can be completed in half an hour.
Question: Can a notarial will be made in a language other than Hebrew?
Answer: Yes. The notary may prepare a will in any language they are fluent in. If the will is in a language other than Hebrew, English, or Arabic, a surcharge of 104 ₪ before VAT applies.
Question: What happens if the will is lost?
Answer: The notary keeps a copy of every document they certify. Additionally, it is recommended to deposit the will with the Inheritance Registrar — ensuring it will be found when the time comes.
Question: Can a person who is ill or homebound make a notarial will?
Answer: Yes. The notary can travel to the client's home, hospital, or nursing home. There is an additional fee for out-of-office service — 645 ₪ for the first hour + 197 ₪ for each additional half hour (before VAT), plus travel expenses.
How BEITON & Co Can Help
With us, a notarial will is a sensitive process handled with complete discretion:
- Pre-consultation — we help you understand what suits your situation
- Professional drafting — clear wording that prevents future disputes
- Service in multiple languages — Hebrew, English, Arabic, and more
- Home service — the notary comes to you if you cannot visit the office
- Deposit with the Registrar — we handle depositing the will with the Inheritance Registrar
Make a notarial will now — and give yourself peace of mind. Fees are regulated by law and uniform nationwide (see notary price list 2026).