Israel Divorce Guide: Laws, Process & Costs
Everything you need to know about divorce in Israel.10 in-depth guides covering your rights, costs, and options.
Legal System
Religious courts for marriage/divorce
Divorce Type
Religious: requires mutual consent (Jewish: get); civil alternatives limited
Waiting Period
Varies — can take years if one spouse refuses
Average Cost
₪5,000–100,000+
Property System
Community property presumption for marriages after 1974; earlier marriages by agreement
Residency
Residence in Israel
Divorce Law in Israel: Overview
Israel has no civil marriage or divorce — all marriages and divorces are handled by religious courts. Jews divorce through Rabbinical Courts, Muslims through Sharia Courts, Christians through ecclesiastical courts, and Druze through Druze Courts. The most significant issue is the Jewish 'get' requirement: a husband must voluntarily grant a 'get' (religious divorce document) to his wife. If he refuses, she is considered an 'agunah' (chained woman) and cannot remarry under Jewish law. This creates a severe power imbalance that Israel has attempted to address through sanctions including imprisonment, driving license revocation, and bank account freezing.
Key Legislation
Rabbinical Courts Jurisdiction (Marriage and Divorce) Law 1953
Gives Rabbinical Courts exclusive jurisdiction over Jewish marriage and divorce.
Family Courts Law 1995
Established family courts for property, custody, and maintenance (parallel to religious courts).
Spouses (Property Relations) Law 1973
Community property presumption for marriages after 1974.
Grounds for Divorce
- ●Jewish: mutual consent is most common. Grounds include adultery, domestic violence, refusal of marital relations, severe illness
- ●Get refusal: husband's refusal to grant a get — courts can impose sanctions but cannot force
- ●Muslim: talaq (husband), khula (wife), or judicial divorce
- ●Christian: varies by denomination
How to Divorce in Israel: Step-by-Step
File at religious court
Must file at the appropriate religious court (Rabbinical, Sharia, etc.).
Race to file (Jewish)
Whoever files first (religious or family court) often gains jurisdictional advantage.
Get (Jewish divorce)
Husband must voluntarily grant the get document. Wife must accept it.
Financial settlement
Can be handled by family court (civil) or religious court.
Custody
Family court handles custody regardless of religious jurisdiction.
Recent Legal Reforms
Expanded sanctions against get refusers — including imprisonment and financial penalties.
DNA testing allowed in family courts to establish paternity.
Family Courts established — civil courts that handle property and custody parallel to religious courts.
What Makes Israel Divorce Unique
- →No civil marriage or divorce exists — must use religious courts
- →Jewish 'get' requirement: husband must voluntarily grant divorce document
- →'Agunah' problem: women trapped by husbands who refuse to grant a get
- →Race to file: filing first at family court vs. rabbinical court can determine which law applies to finances
- →Parallel jurisdiction: religious courts handle divorce, family courts handle property and custody
Israel Divorce Statistics
~33% of marriages
Divorce rate
1-3 years
Average duration
~200 ongoing cases at any time
Get refusals
Israel Divorce Guides
Israel Property Division
How assets and debts are divided
Israel Spousal Support
Maintenance and alimony
Israel Child Custody
Custody and parenting arrangements
Israel Divorce Process & Timeline
Steps and how long it takes
Israel Divorce Costs
Fees, costs, and legal aid
Israel Child Support
Financial support for children
Israel Uncontested Divorce
When both spouses agree
Israel Divorce Mediation
Alternative dispute resolution
Israel Divorce & Taxes
Tax implications of divorce
Israel Domestic Violence & Divorce
Safety and legal protections
Every situation is different
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Legal Disclaimer: This article covers Israel divorce law for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always consult a qualified family law attorney or solicitor in Israel for advice specific to your situation.