Petah Tikva Court Dismisses Woman's Claim to Ex-In-Laws' Property

A Family Court in Petah Tikva has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a woman demanding ownership rights in a house owned by her former husband's parents or, alternatively, three million shekels in compensation. Judge Idit Ben-Dob Julian ruled that the plaintiff failed to prove she was promised property rights or that she had invested money in the construction.

The couple divorced in 2021 after roughly two decades of marriage. In 2014, they moved into a home built on land belonging to the husband's parents, adjacent to the brother's family residing in the other half of the property. Following their separation, the plaintiff left the premises.

During the court proceedings, the plaintiff argued that her former parents-in-law promised that the house would belong to her and her husband, and later intended to gift it. She claimed that due to this promise, the couple abandoned plans to purchase a share of her mother's estate. Citing the doctrine of fairness, she requested recognition of her rights despite the absence of a written agreement. She asserted investing over one million shekels, partly from selling a shop and from medical compensation received during cancer treatment, maintaining that monthly payments constituted mortgage repayments rather than rent.

Conversely, the parents maintained they never promised property rights to their former daughter-in-law, stating the property was funded entirely by them and the couple merely held a license to reside. Judge Ben-Dob Julian noted the plaintiff's testimony was riddled with inconsistencies and that she refrained from summoning key witnesses, including her ex-husband. Furthermore, she failed to present documentation proving her funds were invested in the construction, whereas the defendants submitted financial records verifying they financed the plot and building costs. The court ordered the plaintiff to pay 65,000 shekels in legal costs.