Two Core Pillars of Jurisdictional Fluency, Our practice is engineered to offer comprehensive legal support across the two most crucial areas where the New York client intersects with Israeli law:
What We Handle
- Israeli Real Estate
- Probate & Succession
- Recognition & Enforcement of Judgments
- Business & Contract Matters
- Translations, Apostille & Authentication
Challenges We Solve
- Different inheritance laws
- Translation/document issues
- Jurisdictional conflicts
Our Process
- Consultation
- Document Review
- Translation & Legalization
- Filings in Israel/US
- Resolution & Enforcement
Strategic Israeli Real Estate Investment & Security
For New York-based investors or families looking to buy, sell, or manage property in Israel, the journey requires more than just a standard transaction attorney. It demands an expert who can navigate the nuances of the Israeli Land Registry, planning committees, and tax implications, all while advising you from your timezone. We provide holistic security for your investment, ensuring your transaction is not only completed but legally impregnable.
Holistic Due Diligence: Going beyond basic title searches, we conduct comprehensive examinations to vet property status, zoning compliance, and potential encumbrances nationwide. Transaction Management: We handle the entire lifecycle from contract drafting and negotiation with Israeli sellers/lenders to securing trust accounts and completing final registration of rights, saving clients time and often significant brokerage fees. Dormant Asset Reclamation: For clients seeking to finalize a transaction or settle an estate, we specialize in a nationwide search for dormant bank accounts that may be critical to closing financing or distribution.
Strategic Israeli Real Estate Investment & Security
Holistic Due Diligence: Going beyond basic title searches, we conduct comprehensive examinations to vet property status, zoning compliance, and potential encumbrances nationwide. Transaction Management: We handle the entire lifecycle from contract drafting and negotiation with Israeli sellers/lenders to securing trust accounts and completing final registration of rights, saving clients time and often significant brokerage fees. Dormant Asset Reclamation: For clients seeking to finalize a transaction or settle an estate, we specialize in a nationwide search for dormant bank accounts that may be critical to closing financing or distribution.
Streamlined Israeli Probate and Inheritance
Inheritance law is deeply personal and often time-sensitive. When Israeli assets, be they real estate, bank accounts, or other holdings, are involved, the legal process can become opaque and drawn out for non-residents.
Our unique position as an Israeli Lawyer in New York makes this process a direct, efficient path to resolution.
We manage every administrative and legal requirement with precision, allowing you to settle the estate without ever needing to leave the U.S.
Remote Probate/Succession: We expertly prepare and e-file all applications for Probate or Succession Orders with the Israeli Inheritance Registrar and Family Court.
Will Contest Expertise: We possess a proven track record of skillfully handling and litigating complex will contests and objections in the Israeli Family Court system, protecting your rights as an heir or beneficiary.
Unclaimed Property Resolution: If you have been contacted regarding “Abandoned” or unclaimed Israeli property, we guide you through establishing ownership rights, maximizing equity, and managing subsequent sales or transfers with full diligence regarding U.S. tax implications.
Asset Transfer & Closure: Following the court order, we manage the intricate process of transferring bank account ownership, coordinate with Israeli financial institutions, and ensure all necessary compliance steps, including any IRS requirements for U.S. residents, are completed before securely wiring funds.
The David Shakarchi Difference
David Shakarchi is an Israeli native fluent in Hebrew and English, bringing a deep, firsthand understanding of the Israeli legal and cultural landscape.
Our core philosophy is that superior legal representation for cross-border matters requires not just knowledge, but strategic, responsive counsel. Our offices in New York, New Jersey, and Israel ensure we have the necessary “eyes on the ground” while providing local accessibility for our U.S. clients.
We prioritize clear, proactive communication and a cost-efficient approach, ensuring our clients are informed and confident at every step. Dealing with Israeli law from New York should not mean sacrificing control or clarity. It means gaining a decisive advantage: the power of deep, specialized knowledge delivered with local accessibility.
If your financial future, family legacy, or business investment involves the Israeli legal framework, partner with the Law Offices of David Shakarchi, the specialized Israeli Lawyer in New York, dedicated to your success.
Contact us today for a complimentary, strategic consultation to discuss your specific cross-border needs.
FAQs
Can U.S. courts enforce Israeli judgments
Yes, New York and New Jersey courts can enforce Israeli judgments, but only under specific conditions. These states follow the principle of comity, meaning they may recognize and enforce foreign judgments if the original proceedings respected due process and fundamental fairness. in New York, courts generally enforce Israeli civil judgments if:
– The Israeli court had proper jurisdiction.
– The defendant was given notice and an opportunity to be heard.
– The judgment is final, conclusive, and not contrary to New York public policy. New York does not require reciprocity, so Israeli judgments can be enforced even if Israel doesn’t automatically enforce U.S. judgments. In New Jersey, the process is similar. Courts will enforce Israeli judgments if they meet standards of fairness, due process, and finality. However, enforcement may be denied if the judgment involves punitive damages, violates public policy, or stems from a system that lacks impartial tribunals.
To enforce an Israeli judgment in either state, you typically file a civil action to domesticate the foreign judgment, supported by certified copies and translations. Our law firm is familiar with both jurisdictions
and will navigate procedural requirements and potential defenses.
How long is probate in Israel vs NY?
The Law Offices of David Shakarchi will handle your case professionally and efficiently.
The time it takes to probate a will or administer an estate varies significantly in Israel, depending on the jurisdiction and the case’s complexity. The process typically takes between 4 and 8 months, depending on the district, the registrar’s workload, and whether the estate is contested or involves foreign assets. Straightforward cases with properly drafted Israeli wills tend to move faster, especially when all heirs consent and documentation is complete. In New York, probate duration varies widely by county. In less congested counties, it may take as little as 3 to 6 months, while in busier jurisdictions like Kings or Queens, it can stretch to a year. Delays often arise from missing documents, disputes among heirs, or the need to locate beneficiaries.
In New Jersey, the probate process is generally more streamlined, often taking around 6 months for
uncontested estates. However, if there are objections, creditor claims, or complex assets, the timeline can be significantly extended.
Will I need to travel to israel?
If you have a legal matter in Israel, whether it involves probate, real estate, or commercial litigation, you typically do not need to travel from the U.S. to Israel to handle the case. Our Tel Aviv office can manage the entire process on your behalf once you issue a Power of Attorney, which we prepare and guide you through. This document authorizes our legal team to represent you before Israeli courts, government offices, and registrars, allowing us to file petitions, respond to inquiries, and complete transactions without requiring your physical presence.
This arrangement exceptionally efficient for probating wills, administering estates, and handling property transfers, where most proceedings are document-based and do not require in-person testimony. Even in litigation matters, many hearings and filings can be managed remotely. In rare cases, such as when a full trial is scheduled and your personal testimony is essential, travel may be necessary—but we work diligently to minimize that possibility and explore alternatives like affidavits or remote appearances when permitted.
The Law Offices of David Shakarchi has the legal infrastructure that ensures that your case proceeds
smoothly, efficiently, and in full compliance with Israeli law—without disrupting your life in New York or New Jersey.
What taxes apply?
in probate proceedings involving assets across Israel and the United States, particularly for American citizens with Israeli assets or Israeli citizens with U.S. assets, the applicable taxes depend on the jurisdiction, asset type, and residency status of the decedent and beneficiaries.
In Israel (for American citizens with Israeli assets):
– No estate tax is imposed in Israel, but capital gains tax and real estate transfer tax may apply when
assets are sold or transferred.
– If the estate includes Israeli real estate, the beneficiary may owe purchase tax or betterment tax
depending on the transaction.
– U.S. citizens may also face U.S. estate tax on worldwide assets, including those in Israel, if the estate exceeds federal exemption thresholds.
– To minimize exposure, it’s crucial to structure ownership and inheritance properly—often with the help of a tax expert familiar with both systems.
In New York and New Jersey (for Israeli citizens with U.S. assets):
– The U.S. imposes estate tax on non-resident aliens for U.S.-situated assets (e.g., real estate,
securities), with a much lower exemption—currently $60,000.
– New York and New Jersey may also impose state-level estate or inheritance taxes, depending on the
asset value and beneficiary relationship.
– Israeli heirs may need to file U.S. estate tax returns and obtain IRS clearance before transferring assets.
working with a cross-border tax advisor is essential to navigate exemptions, treaties, and reporting
obligations.