The Forgotten Apartment in Romema, Jerusalem – And What Happens When You Don’t Protect Your Inheritance

Imagine this: You're living your life in the U.S., sipping your morning coffee, when one day you get a strange tip. A private investigator tells you someone is living in the Jerusalem apartment you inherited from your late father. Not only that – this "tenant" claims he bought it from you. Problem is, you’ve never sold the place. You haven’t even been to Israel in years.

Sounds like a plot twist from a legal drama, right? Well, it happened – in the heart of Romema, Jerusalem. And the court just delivered a powerful verdict in July 2025 that should make anyone with real estate in Israel sit up and take notice.

A woman inherited an apartment from her father. Years later, she discovered it was occupied by a neighbor who claimed he purchased it from her. He even had a signed contract to prove it. But she swore the signature wasn’t hers.

The court agreed. A handwriting expert confirmed the signature was forged. But that wasn't the only red flag. The contract was dated on a Saturday (when both parties, observant Jews, wouldn't typically sign legal documents), there was no lawyer involved, and the seller hadn’t even been legally recognized as the apartment's owner yet. Oh, and the buyer claimed the place was abandoned and he moved in because drug addicts were squatting there.

He argued the claim was too old – that 15 years had passed, and the statute of limitations had expired.

But here’s where the case makes legal waves.

The court clarified that for registered properties like this one, the statute of limitations is 25 years – not 15. That’s a game-changer. It protects rightful owners from having their property quietly taken over just because it sat empty. And crucially, it reinforces a big message: you can’t just squat in someone’s registered property and expect to keep it – even if years go by.

How many of us really know what happened to the properties our relatives left behind?In this precedent-setting ruling by the Jerusalem District Court from July 2025, a forged signature and years of squatting weren’t enough to turn a fake deal into a legal one. This case is a wake-up call: if you’ve inherited property – especially from abroad – ignoring it can cost you big time. The message is clear: official registration and proactive management are your best protection.

So if you own property in Israel – or think you might – now is the time to act. Whether you’ve inherited an apartment but never followed up, aren’t sure the property is properly registered in your name, or you’re leaving a home empty because you don’t want the hassle of renovations – that doesn’t mean it’s safe. It’s crucial to make sure no one takes “control” and moves in without your knowledge.

If any of this sounds familiar, our firm is here to help. We specialize in protecting property rights, verifying registrations, and making sure no one else claims what’s legally yours. This court ruling is a powerful reminder: take action before someone else does.

Any topic you’d like me to address? Just let me know! Office@epsteinlaw.co.il

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