Israeli Family Law — Complete Guide 2026

Israeli Family Law — What Every Couple Needs to Know

Israeli family law combines modern civil legislation with court precedent and, in some areas, religious law. Understanding the basics is essential before getting married.

---

1. Property Relations Between Spouses Law (1973)

This is the central law governing how assets are divided in divorce for couples married after January 1, 1974.

The "Resource Equalization" Principle

At divorce, all assets accumulated during the marriage by either spouse are subject to 50/50 equalization. This doesn't mean immediate physical division — rather, a financial settlement where the spouse who accumulated less receives a payment from the other.

Exceptions — Assets Not Subject to Equalization

• Gifts and inheritances: Assets received as gifts from a third party (not the spouse) during the marriage are excluded.
• Pre-marital assets: Assets owned before marriage are excluded — provided they weren't commingled with marital assets.

Why a Prenup Matters

The law is the "default." A prenuptial agreement lets couples override the defaults and set their own rules — full separation, full sharing, custom percentages, or protection for specific assets like businesses or crypto.

[Full guide: Prenup vs. divorce law defaults →](/en/blog/prenup-vs-divorce-agreement)

---

2. Hazkat HaShituf (Pre-1974 Couples)

For couples married before January 1, 1974 — before the Property Relations Law took effect — a different rule applies: the judicial doctrine of "hazkat hashituf" (presumption of sharing). The Supreme Court (case 5620/24) recently expanded this doctrine to include assets jointly managed even if not jointly registered.

---

3. Alimony and Child Support

Child support is mandatory for fathers until children reach age 15 (daughters until 18 or end of schooling). Courts apply the child's "standard of living" as the benchmark.

Spousal alimony: Not automatic in Israeli law — depends on circumstances and income disparity. Rabbinical courts sometimes order alimony under religious law.

---

4. Child Custody

Israel adopted a "parental partnership" framework, with shared physical custody increasingly the default. Courts apply the "best interests of the child" standard.

---

5. Divorce in Israel

Jewish Divorce (Get)

Jewish couples divorce through the rabbinical court. A get (bill of divorce) must be granted voluntarily by the husband. Without a get, a Jewish woman cannot remarry under Jewish law — creating the "agunah" problem. A [get clause in a prenup](/en/blog/prenup-get-clause-agunah) protects against this.

Non-Religious / Civil Couples

Non-Jewish couples and those registered abroad use the Family Court system.

---

6. The Prenup — Your Legal Tool

A prenuptial agreement is the only legal mechanism to override Israeli law's default property rules. It can include:

• Full property separation
• Enhanced sharing rules
• Protection for business equity, RSUs, crypto
• Get clause for religious couples
• Custom inheritance rules

A prenup through Nobiru costs ₪599 and can protect hundreds of thousands of shekels in assets. [Start the free questionnaire →](/en/register)

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.