According to a report by N12, the majority of the Israeli public avoids drafting a will, leaving the distribution of their assets to the 'intestate succession' mechanism. In the absence of a document expressing the deceased's wishes, the Inheritance Law defines a clear hierarchy of heirs, distributing the estate—including assets, funds, and rights—according to familial circles. According to the report, the law organizes the family into three central tiers: the descendants of the deceased, the parents and their descendants (siblings and nephews), and the grandparents and their descendants.
An heir in a closer circle excludes more distant heirs. Within these circles, priority is given to a parent over their descendants, meaning grandchildren only inherit if their parent died before the deceased. A spouse, whether married or a common-law partner (provided they are not married to another), is granted a preferred status that includes receiving personal belongings and the family vehicle, alongside their proportional share of the estate. This share may reach half when inherited alongside children or parents, and two-thirds alongside siblings or grandparents.
Furthermore, the law grants benefits regarding the marital home for couples married for more than three years. However, certain assets are excluded from this mechanism, such as pension funds and life insurance policies, which pass directly to registered beneficiaries. Exercising rights requires an application to the Registrar of Inheritance to obtain an official 'Inheritance Order,' as, without this order, no actions can be taken regarding the deceased's assets in banks or the Land Registry (Tabu).
It was also noted that an heir may renounce their share of the estate via a signed affidavit, and in the absence of any heirs, the property reverts to the State. The legal aspect emphasizes that in order to deviate from this arrangement or to bequeath property to individuals who are not heirs by law, such as friends or organizations, drafting a will is an essential step.