Asset owners with foreign assets face a unique legal challenge. When a person in Israel holds assets abroad — whether an apartment abroad, a foreign bank account, investments, or other property — they must deal with two different legal systems: Israeli law and the law of the country where the assets are located. This makes will drafting a complex process that requires deep knowledge of international inheritance law.

The law office of David Wesserman in Modiin specializes in handling such cases. We understand that a mutual will or regular will that ignores foreign assets can lead to serious legal problems for heirs, litigants, and the assets themselves. The process requires strategic planning, knowledge of local laws in each country, and coordination among various legal entities.

The Main Risks of Ignoring Foreign Assets in a Will

• Legal Risk: A will that does not address foreign assets may be considered a "partial will" and lead to legal confusion when executing the will.
• Delays in Inheritance: Heirs may face legal claims abroad, which could take months or years to resolve.
• Financial Losses: Without proper planning, heirs may pay high taxes on foreign assets, and in some cases may even lose part of the assets.
• Family Disputes: Lack of clarity regarding foreign assets can lead to disputes among heirs and affect family relationships.

To avoid these risks, it is essential to use the services of an experienced will attorney in foreign assets. The law office of David Wesserman provides legal advice on will and foreign asset matters in a professional manner, taking into account all legal and financial parameters.

The process of drafting a will for foreign assets requires several organized steps. The law office of David Wasserman accompanies you at every stage, ensuring complete transparency and legal accuracy.

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Needs Assessment

In the first meeting, we listen to your story — what foreign assets you have, in which countries they are located, and what your inheritance goals are. At this stage, we assess the legal complexity and offer various options, including mutual wills or standard wills.

Step 2: Legal Research and Planning

We examine the laws in each country where you have foreign assets. This includes reviewing legal requirements, taxes, execution costs, and any other factor that may affect the inheritance. At this stage, we also communicate with legal entities abroad if necessary.

Step 3: Will Drafting

Based on the information gathered, we draft the will accurately, ensuring it meets legal requirements both in Israel and abroad. At this stage, we utilize our experience in drafting mutual wills and standard wills to ensure the will includes all assets.

Step 4: Signing and Witnesses

A will must be signed in the presence of witnesses. We arrange all necessary procedures, including witness preparation and precise compliance with legal requirements.

Step 5: Filing and Execution

After the will is signed, we file it with the appropriate authorities in Israel and abroad if necessary. When the time comes, we oversee the execution of the will, ensuring that foreign assets are transferred to heirs smoothly and legally.

Every step in the process is handled carefully by an experienced attorney specializing in wills for foreign assets. We understand this is a sensitive process requiring complete discretion, and that is exactly what we provide.

When dealing with assets abroad, you must choose between a regular will and a mutual will. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on your specific circumstances.

Regular Will

A regular will is a unilateral declaration by a person regarding how their assets will be distributed after death. It is simpler than a mutual will and requires less coordination. However, a regular will concerning assets abroad still requires special planning and coordination with authorities abroad.

Mutual Will

A mutual will is a legal agreement between two spouses. It provides greater legal security, as it binds both parties. With assets abroad, a mutual will can be an advantage because it allows for joint planning and clear management of the assets.

Choosing between the two options requires professional legal advice. The law office of David and Serman provides legal will advice for assets abroad that takes into account your specific circumstances and needs.

The cost of a will for foreign assets depends on several factors, including the number of foreign assets, the number of countries involved, the complexity of the case, and the type of will (regular or mutual). The law office of David Vasserman offers competitive legal fees for wills for foreign assets with full transparency.

Factors Affecting Cost

• Number of Assets: The more assets you have abroad, the more complex the process becomes, and the higher the cost.
• Number of Countries: If assets are located in multiple different countries, this requires coordination with legal authorities in each country, which increases the cost.
• Type of Will: A mutual will can be more expensive than a regular will, but it provides greater legal security.
• Coordination with Foreign Authorities: If coordination with foreign lawyers is required, this may add to the cost.

David Vasserman's law office provides an accurate estimate of the cost of a will for foreign assets in advance. We believe in full transparency and do not surprise our clients with additional expenses later.