Israelis File Record 52,401 Ongoing Powers of Attorney in 2025
A new report by the Administrator General reveals that Israelis deposited 52,401 ongoing powers of attorney in 2025. The number of activated documents rose by 23%, signaling a major shift away from court-appointed guardianship.
An increasing number of Israelis are proactively arranging their future affairs. According to the annual activity report of the Administrator General and Official Receiver at the Ministry of Justice, 52,401 ongoing powers of attorney (continuous POA) were deposited in 2025, up from 50,235 in the previous year.
At the same time, 4,271 ongoing powers of attorney entered into force, representing a 23% increase compared to 2024.
Shift Away from Court-Appointed Guardianship
An ongoing power of attorney allows an adult to designate in advance who will manage their personal, medical, and financial affairs if they become unable to make decisions themselves. This legal instrument serves as a modern alternative to court-appointed guardianship, ensuring that an individual's preferences are respected even when they can no longer express them.
According to the report, the share of ongoing powers of attorney has grown significantly relative to traditional guardianship. In 2025, there were 8,287 court-appointed guardianships alongside 4,271 activated POAs. Out of these combined cases, ongoing POAs accounted for 34%, up from 28% in 2024 and 24% in 2023.
The representative sample shows that the average age of those depositing an ongoing POA in 2025 was 74, with 69% aged between 70 and 89. However, legal experts note that the tool is designed for early planning and is recommended for any individual over the age of 18.
Financial Approvals Reform
In August 2025, a major regulatory reform took effect, transferring the authority to approve restricted financial transactions from the courts directly to the Administrator General. The application process is now fully digitalized and exempt from government fees.
Between the launch of the reform and the end of 2025, designated representatives submitted 299 applications:
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236 applications were approved;
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62 applications were dismissed (primarily due to missing documentation or because the transaction did not require approval);
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1 application was referred to court for a ruling.
The average processing time for approving a financial transaction request stood at 19.5 days.
The Administrator General and Registrar of Inheritance Affairs, Adv. Ben-Zion Figelson, stated:
"The year 2025 reflects a year of significant change in public service—translating reforms, innovation, and digital tools into tangible relief for citizens and families. Processing times have been shortened, bureaucratic burdens on family guardians have been reduced through advanced technology-based supervision, and the financial transaction reform now allows thousands of families to receive a more professional, efficient, and accessible service."
