Why Even Unmarried Couples Need a Will: A Love Story (Sort Of)

Meet Abe Goldman and Sarah Silverstein, a lovely couple who've been sharing their lives, their Tel Aviv apartment, and their subscription to Netflix for 15 years. They're not officially married – because who needs a piece of paper when you have love, right? Well, as it turns out, the Israeli legal system might beg to differ.

Abe has two children from his previous marriage living in New York, both successful lawyers (the irony isn't lost on us). Sarah's children are scattered between London and Jerusalem, one running a tech startup and the other teaching yoga. Everything's perfect in the Goldman/Silverstein household – until it isn't.

Let's play out a little scenario. One day, Abe decides to try that trendy new hummus place downtown. Unfortunately, he discovers too late that he's severely allergic to their "special ingredient." As he takes his final breath, his last words are, "I should have stuck with my regular hummus place... and made a will."

Now what?

Without a will, here's what happens:

- That beautiful apartment they shared? Since they weren't officially married, Sarah has no automatic legal right to it

- Abe's vintage record collection? His American lawyer children might have some thoughts about that

- The joint bank account? Let's just say it's about to become very un-joint

- Their shared dog, Kafka? Well, let's hope he likes international travel

Meanwhile, Sarah's children are wondering why their mother spent 15 years building a life with someone who didn't legally protect their partnership. Family dinners are about to get very awkward, spanning three different time zones.

The solution to this mess?

A simple will. Yes, that boring document you've been putting off could have prevented:

- Family feuds that make Game of Thrones look like a kindergarten dispute

- Your children having to navigate international inheritance laws (because one jurisdiction just isn't complicated enough)

- Your partner of 15 years suddenly becoming legally equivalent to your friendly neighborhood barista

- Your beloved pet ending up in a custody battle that would make headlines in all three countries

Remember: Love may conquer all, but it can't conquer inheritance law. A will isn't just a piece of paper – it's a love letter to your family saying, "I care enough about you to prevent you from spending the next five years in court."

Don't be like Abe. Make a will. Your partner, your children, and your international tax lawyer will thank you. And if you're wondering about that hummus place? They've since added allergen warnings to their menu – but that's a different kind of legal story.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For proper legal guidance, please consult with a qualified attorney who won't use hummus-related analogies*

Advocate Judy Rinot, originally from New York, is a graduate of the Hebrew University Law School. She has been practicing law in Israel for over 30 years. She runs a boutique law firm in Raanana, specializing in Real-Estate, Estate Planning, Enduring Power of Attorney and Inheritance Law, with a special emphasis on representing new immigrants, returning residents, and foreign citizens.