Father's Claim of Low Income Dismissed by Jerusalem Family Court

A father of three young daughters claimed in Jerusalem Family Court that his net monthly income was only around NIS 5,500, making him unable to pay the alimony his ex-wife sought. However, Judge Moshe Brown examined the father's expenses and found a significant discrepancy between his declared income and his monthly spending.

The parents separated in 2025 and divorced thereafter. Their three daughters, including twins, were all under six years old at the time of the decision. The mother requested the father pay NIS 5,400 monthly in alimony, plus a contribution to housing, education, and health expenses. She alleged that the father, a self-employed chef, actually earns about NIS 35,000 per month, presenting bank statements showing over NIS 17,000 in expenses in a single month as evidence.

The father countered that his income was low, he had debts and loans, and his family provided financial assistance. He stated his rent was NIS 4,000, apartment maintenance NIS 1,300, and he paid NIS 2,100 in alimony to a child from a previous relationship. These expenses alone totaled NIS 7,400 monthly, nearly NIS 2,000 more than his declared income, even before personal living costs.

Judge Brown was unconvinced by the father's figures, stating he did not accept the claim of an average net monthly income of NIS 5,500. The judge noted it was impossible to cover these expenses, plus the father's personal costs, on such a low income. Consequently, the court determined the father's income was significantly higher than he declared, though the judge did not adopt the mother's claim of NIS 35,000 income, nor did he set a specific alternative figure.

The court estimated the three daughters' monthly needs at NIS 5,000. As they spend half their time with the father, who covers their expenses during that period, he was ordered to pay the mother NIS 2,500 per month. Additionally, the father was ordered to contribute half of his daughters' share of the mother's NIS 5,200 monthly rent, calculated at 25% of the rent, amounting to an additional NIS 650. In total, the father was ordered to pay NIS 3,150 per month in temporary alimony, plus half of education and health expenses not covered by state insurance, upon presentation of receipts. This order is effective from July 27, 2026, the date the request was filed. The judge emphasized this is a temporary decision, and the father's exact income and permanent alimony will be determined later in the proceedings.