How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer in Israel

How to choose a lawyer when getting divorced

When couples face divorce, each of them asks the same question: how do you choose a lawyer when getting divorced? It is not an easy question, because the lawyer you choose will have a decisive effect on how your rights are protected in the divorce process, on your financial future, on the legal outcome, and even on your relationship with your spouse after the divorce.

Choosing the right divorce lawyer means weighing several factors, including legal expertise, experience, availability, and personality. It is important to choose a strong and assertive lawyer, but it is even more important to choose one who will not fan the flames already burning between the two of you.

In this article we will answer the question of how to choose a lawyer when getting divorced, with practical tips to help you find the lawyer who is right for you.

How to choose a lawyer when getting divorced – by legal expertise in the field

A lawyer with professional knowledge and experience will know how to run the divorce case properly and will represent you competently on every legal issue. The deeper this expertise, the better and more wisely he will manage your case.

How to choose a lawyer when getting divorced – by your budget

Divorce proceedings can be very expensive. Even if you win the divorce and get everything you hoped for, if you had to pay your lawyer enormous sums and are left with an empty bank account, your quality of life will suffer. Choosing an expert, well-regarded lawyer matters, but so does staying within your budget.

How to choose a lawyer when getting divorced – by sensitivity and professionalism

Everyone wants a professional, assertive lawyer who will fight for everything you deserve in the divorce proceedings, but it is just as important to choose a lawyer with sensitivity. A divorce involves emotions, pressure, mental strain, and children, not just money. Look for a lawyer who runs the case with determination but also with empathy, who understands the situation, works to shorten the proceedings, and accompanies you through them in a considerate way.

How to choose a lawyer when getting divorced – by availability

Choose a lawyer who understands the stress and mental strain you are under during a divorce. Well-regarded lawyers are in high demand and naturally carry heavy caseloads, yet a professional and considerate lawyer will still find the time to answer your questions, explain the procedures and the steps he is taking in your case, and sometimes simply reassure you.

How to choose a lawyer when getting divorced – by experience

As the sages already put it, no one is wiser than a person with experience. A young, inexperienced lawyer, however brilliant and talented, will not know how to handle a divorce case at the highest level without real experience in the field. Young lawyers tend to make beginners’ mistakes, and you do not want to be the case they learn on.

How to choose a lawyer when getting divorced – three more practical tips

Ask for recommendations

Everyone knows friends, family members, or coworkers who have gone through a divorce. Ask them what they thought of the lawyer who handled their case. If you hear a negative opinion, even one, keep looking. If you cannot get recommendations, or warnings, from friends or family, look online. The Internet is full of forums and Facebook groups for divorced parents. Join one of these groups and ask its members about lawyers they would recommend.

One more thing: the members of such a group can support you throughout the process, and perhaps even after it.

Don’t skip the consultation

A professional lawyer will offer you an in-depth consultation: a meeting where he listens to your story, understands the situation, and lays out the options available to you.

The consultation is also your chance to get a feel for the lawyer’s personality. Pay attention to how the two of you communicate, and trust your instincts. Do you feel you are in good hands? Do you trust him? Are you comfortable with him? If the answer is no, keep looking. If the answer is yes, you have probably found your lawyer.

And note: it is not a good idea to skip the consultation, even if it involves a fee!

Prefer a lawyer close to where you live

If you live in Jerusalem, choose a lawyer in Jerusalem; if you live in Tel Aviv, choose a lawyer in Tel Aviv, and so on. Keep in mind that a divorce can stretch over a long period, during which you will need to meet with your lawyer almost routinely. Having the lawyer’s office near your home makes it simple to get there whenever you need to.

Still wondering how to choose a lawyer when getting divorced?

“A divorce does not have to be ugly and traumatic. This crisis can also end in a good atmosphere and in peace between the couple.” That is my credo, says Adv. Avital Horef.

Adv. Avital Horef will be glad to meet you at the office in Jerusalem or the office in Tel Aviv. He has accumulated many years of knowledge and experience in handling divorce cases and everything connected to them, and he has successfully represented countless clients who would gladly recommend him. He is professional, sensitive, and available, and he will be happy to schedule a consultation and find the best and fastest way to bring the divorce crisis to a successful close.

The key criteria: specialization in family law — a lawyer who handles divorce cases regularly knows the issues and the courts in depth, unlike a general practitioner for whom the field is marginal; familiarity with the relevant forum — if your case will run in the rabbinical court, choose someone accustomed to working there; an approach that matches your goals — a combative litigator versus a lawyer oriented toward settlement and a swift resolution; and finally communication, availability and personal trust, which will carry you through a highly sensitive period.

A divorce lawyer represents one side only, and their professional duty is to achieve the best outcome for that client. A mediator is a neutral professional who represents neither party and helps both reach terms acceptable to each of them. The two can also be combined: conduct mediation while each spouse consults their own advising lawyer, who reviews the emerging agreement. Where there are children, mediation has a real advantage — it preserves the parents’ ability to cooperate after the separation.

There is no binding fee tariff for divorce work in Israel; the cost depends on the complexity of the case, the scope of the disputes and the lawyer’s experience — a consensual divorce costs considerably less than prolonged litigation. Common models include a global fee fixed in advance for the whole proceeding, hourly billing, or staged fees per phase. Insist on a written, itemized fee agreement up front and clarify exactly what it covers — drafting the agreement, court representation, appeals and expenses — to avoid surprises later.

As a rule, no. Divorcing spouses naturally have opposing interests over property, maintenance and children, and joint representation creates a built-in conflict of interest — one lawyer cannot fully protect the rights of two adverse parties. Even in a consensual divorce, an agreement signed without each side receiving independent advice may tilt toward the stronger party. The accepted solution: each spouse consults a separate lawyer, and the agreement is drafted and signed with both involved — slightly more expensive, but genuine protection for both sides.

The first meeting is also your opportunity to assess whether the lawyer suits you. Recommended questions: how many divorce cases have you handled in recent years? Do you know the specific court or rabbinical court where my case is likely to run? What is your approach — seeking agreement first, or filing immediately? What is your estimate of the duration and cost of the process? And who will actually handle the file and answer my questions? A lawyer who avoids giving transparent answers to these questions is probably not the right person to accompany you.

Those who cannot afford representation can apply to the Legal Aid Administration at the Israeli Ministry of Justice, which provides representation to applicants who meet its eligibility tests; to legal clinics operating at universities; and to aid organizations offering initial advice free of charge. It is also worth considering divorce mediation — a process whose total cost is usually lower than full litigation with two separate lawyers, and which may be the most accessible route to a fair, balanced divorce agreement.

Other readers were also interested in this content >>

Premarital mediation

What is therapeutic family mediation?

Divorce Mediation Guide in Israel 2026

How to choose a divorce mediator

How much does divorce mediation cost?

How long does the mediation process take before a divorce?

Need a divorce mediator in Jerusalem? You’ve come to the right place.

I am Attorney Avital Horef and I specialize in family law and provide solutions to all matters of personal status, including divorce agreements, financial agreements, representation in courts and rabbinical courts in divorce suits and property division, alimony, and visitation arrangements.

Do you have a question?

For a consultation Free of charge I am here for you on the phone: 072-336-0962

Contact us

Need guidance? Talk to me now

phone

Full name

Preferred callback day

time