Court Awards Partner Half of Apartment After 21 Years Despite Will Favoring Son

A court in Ashdod ruled that a man who lived with his partner for 21 years is entitled to half of her apartment, despite her will leaving the property solely to her son. The woman passed away in 2019, having left the apartment to her only son, who registered it in his name. The man filed a claim in family court against the son, seeking recognition of his ownership of half the apartment where they lived together.

The man argued they were common-law partners and that the presumption of joint ownership applied, as he contributed to mortgage payments and renovations worth 200,000 shekels. The son contended the woman intended to leave him the apartment alone and denied that the man was a partner, claiming they only had a friendly relationship and lived separately.

Judge Ofra Guy ruled in favor of the man, noting that although he initially rented a room, by 2008 they stopped signing rental agreements. The court found they lived as common-law partners for at least 15 years, supported by shared trips, family events, and the inscription "my wife" on the woman’s tombstone. The judge also accepted that the man financed the mortgage and home expenses. Consequently, the son was ordered to pay 40,000 shekels in legal costs.

The ruling highlights the need to prove intent to share property acquired before the relationship, with joint mortgage payments serving as evidence. The case number is 5919-11-22.