Making Aliyah After Divorce

Legal and Practical Considerations for Single Parents

Making Aliyah as a divorced or single parent when the other parent is alive and possibly involved presents unique challenges—legal, emotional, financial, and practical. Whether you're considering moving with your children or without them, this decision requires careful navigation of international law, custody arrangements, and your children's best interests.

The Critical Legal Question: Parental Consent

You generally CANNOT take your children on Aliyah without the other parent's consent, unless you have sole legal custody with the explicit right to relocate internationally, or the other parent's rights have been legally terminated.

The Hague Convention on International Child Abduction:

ï  Most Western countries, including Israel, are signatories

ï  Protects children from international parental kidnapping

ï  Taking a child abroad without required consent is illegal

ï  Child can be ordered returned to country of origin

Even with Physical Custody:

ï  Having primary physical custody is NOT enough

ï  Joint legal custody means both parents must consent

ï  Courts treat international relocation differently than domestic moves

When You CAN Make Aliyah with Your Children

ï  **Sole Legal and Physical Custody: **Court order granting you sole custody with explicit right to relocate

ï  **Both Parents Agree: **Written, notarized consent specifying permanent relocation to Israel

ï  **Other Parent Cannot Be Located: **Documented efforts to find them, court approval

ï  **Other Parent's Rights Terminated: **Due to abuse, neglect, or other serious issues

Getting Consent or Court Approval

If Other Parent Will Consent:

ï  Negotiate agreement openly; address their concerns

ï  Create co-parenting plan for international arrangement

ï  Get written consent notarized; file with court if possible

ï  Israeli authorities need proof of consent, possibly apostilled

If Other Parent Will NOT Consent:

ï  Must petition family court for permission to relocate

ï  Burden of proof on you to show move is in children's best interest

ï  Court considers: relationships with both parents, educational opportunities, impact on other parent's relationship, children's preferences

ï  Court proceedings take months to years; cannot make Aliyah until resolved

ï  Legal representation essential—family law attorney in your jurisdiction

Co-Parenting from Israel: Practical Reality

Visitation Logistics:

ï  Expensive flights ($500-1,500+ per ticket), long travel times

ï  Typical arrangements: extended summer visits (4-8 weeks), winter/spring breaks

ï  Travel costs can reach $5,000-15,000+ annually

ï  Time zone differences (7-10 hours) complicate video calls

Emotional Impact on Children:

ï  Missing other parent intensely; difficult transitions

ï  Jet lag and travel exhaustion; divided loyalty feelings

ï  Protective factors: strong relationships, consistent communication, both parents supporting each other's relationship

Making It Work:

ï  Regular video calls (daily or several times weekly)

ï  Both parents prioritizing connection; flexibility with schedules

ï  Notarized travel letters for international travel with children

Making Aliyah WITHOUT Your Children

Some parents make Aliyah while their children remain with the other parent. This happens when the other parent has primary custody, both parents agree children should stay, older children choose to stay, or court determines children stay.

The Emotional Reality:

ï  Profound loss: not seeing children daily, missing milestones

ï  Guilt: questioning the decision, feeling like you abandoned them

ï  Maintaining relationship: daily video calls essential, frequent visits (every 2-3 months if possible)

This decision is deeply personal. It doesn't mean you love your children less. Many scenarios are impossibly difficult, and only you know your full situation.

Financial Considerations

ï  **Absorption Benefits: **Same as other immigrants, may receive additional assistance as single parent

ï  **Cost of Living: **Israel expensive, especially housing; single income supporting family

ï  **Travel Costs: **Flights for visitation can be thousands per year

ï  **Child Support: **May continue from other parent; international collection can be complex

ï  **Legal Costs: **Attorney fees for custody proceedings can be very expensive

Supporting Your Children Through Aliyah

Maintaining Other Parent Relationship:

ï  Facilitate frequent communication; encourage expression of missing parent

ï  Don't speak negatively about other parent; support visitation enthusiastically

Addressing Their Emotions:

ï  Children will grieve—missing other parent, friends, extended family

ï  May blame you for move; anger, sadness, acting out is normal

ï  Therapy can help; patience and understanding essential

Building New Life:

ï  Help them make friends, get involved in activities, learn Hebrew

ï  Create routines and stability; maintain some familiar traditions

When Aliyah May Not Be Advisable

Legal Red Flags:

ï  Cannot get required consent; court unlikely to approve

ï  Would be violating custody order; other parent actively fighting

Children's Best Interest Concerns:

ï  Children strongly opposed; very close relationship with other parent

ï  Special needs requiring continuity of care; teenagers in critical school years

Your Readiness:

ï  Making decision impulsively after divorce; running away from problems

ï  Not emotionally stable; unrealistic expectations

**Consider Waiting: **Until custody is settled, children are older, financial situation is stronger, and emotions have settled after divorce.

Success Factors for Single Parent Aliyah

ï  **Legal Foundation: **Proper consent or court approval; documented agreements

ï  **Strong Support: **Family or friends in Israel; financial stability

ï  **Child-Centered Approach: **Children's needs prioritized; open communication

ï  **Cooperative Co-Parenting: **Both parents working together, putting children first

ï  **Personal Stability: **Emotionally ready; clear motivations; commitment to making it work

Getting Help

**Legal: **Family law attorney in current jurisdiction, Israeli immigration attorney, mediator for co-parenting agreements

**Emotional: **Therapist for yourself, child therapist/counselor, divorce and single parent support groups

**Practical: **Nefesh B'Nefesh single parent coordinators, other single parent immigrants, community organizations

Final Thoughts

Making Aliyah as a divorced or single parent is absolutely possible, and many do it successfully. However, it requires legal compliance (cannot overstate this), realistic assessment of impact on children, adequate financial resources, strong support system, and commitment to co-parenting from a distance.

Most Important: Do not move children internationally without proper legal authority to do so. The consequences—for you legally and for your children emotionally—are severe.

If you can make Aliyah with your children legally and it serves their best interests, know that many single parents successfully build beautiful lives in Israel. Consult with attorneys, speak with others who've done it, think carefully about your children's needs, and make your decision from a place of clarity rather than crisis.

**For more information, visit www.easyaliyah.com

Updated on: 01/02/2026