Why a notarial will
A notarial will is equivalent to a will made before a court. The notary verifies the testator’s identity and records that they understood the document and acted of free will. This removes the most common ground for objection: the claim that the testator was not lucid or was pressured.
What makes a will hold up
- Clear text that names the heirs and your wishes, to prevent future conflict with others who would have been heirs by law.
- Clear instructions and a clear mechanism for what happens to the estate after death.
- The date and place of making are critical to validity.
- A will made by a person declared legally incompetent, or with the direct participation of an heir (except an oral will), is invalid. So is one containing illegal provisions or made under coercion.
At home or in hospital
A notary can come to your home or to a medical facility to make a will. Service outside the office is charged extra under the tariff.
Cost
Making a notarial will follows the official tariff: ₪293 for the first signer, ₪147 for each additional signer and ₪83 for each additional certified copy, before VAT. See the 2026 tariff table. Read also How to make a will in Israel.
Frequently asked questions
Which forms of will does Israeli law recognise?
A handwritten will, a will before witnesses, a will before an authority (a notary, a judge or the Registrar of Inheritance) and a deathbed will, which expires one month after the circumstances in which it was made have passed.
Must a will be written in Hebrew?
It is not mandatory, but strongly recommended. A will in another language needs a notarial translation, and any inaccuracy can become a ground for dispute.
Can a will be changed later?
Yes, at any time while the testator is competent; the later will overrides the earlier. A clause forbidding changes has no force.