A new judgment published on September 15, 2026, by journalist Efrat Neuman in TheMarker, addresses a legal dispute over the appropriate fee for a guardian appointed to manage the assets of a world-renowned Israeli scientist. The guardian managed the scientist’s affairs for six years, between 2019 and 2024, during which time the scientist held assets, rights, and patents valued at hundreds of millions of shekels. The scientist passed away in 2025.
The guardian approached the court requesting a fee of approximately 14 million NIS, citing the complexity of legal and business matters in Israel and abroad, as well as investment and real estate management. The court acknowledged the case was indeed exceptional and justified a deviation from standard regulatory fee schedules, yet set the final sum at only 745,000 NIS.
In her ruling, the judge stated that the estate should not be double-charged. The primary reasoning is that during the years the assets were managed, millions of dollars were paid to external professionals who actually handled the complex professional and legal aspects. The court emphasized that the guardian's request was unprecedented in established case law. The ruling underscores the delicate balance between fair compensation for a guardian and protecting the funds of a ward or an estate from excessive charges, especially when dealing with significant assets. It serves as a significant reminder that even in cases of substantial wealth, a guardian's role does not replace the work of specific experts, and fees should not be automatically derived from asset values without proof of direct work and personal effort that does not overlap with other professional services purchased for the deceased.