Religious Courts And Jurisdiction

Can a rabbinical court grant an inheritance order at the request of the deceased's cohabitee ?

Yes ! There is one proviso – all those affected by the matter must give their written consent.

Yes, if all the parties affected give their written agreement to its jurisdiction .

Can a recognized religious court in Israel grant an Inheritance Order or a Probate Order , or set maintenance from the estate?

Is the rabbinical court the only religious court in Israel able to deal with inheritance ?

What happens if one of the parties to proceedings at a rabbinical court is a minor or otherwise lacks legal capacity, or has disappeared, and has no guardian to represent him/her ?

The rabbinical court can appoint the person a guardian regarding the question of consent to its jurisdiction and representation.

Can the rabbinical court decide about inheritance according to Jewish religious law, rather than Israeli civil law ?

Only if all those parties give their written consent , can the rabbinical court grant an Inheritance Order or Probate Order or set maintenance, based on the principles of Jewish religious law. Where , however, one of the parties is a minor or lacks legal capacity, the rabbinical court is forbidden from deciding according to Jewish law if his/her rights would be less than they would be under civil law. 

Can the rabbinical court appoint an executor of the estate ?

Yes , once it has jurisdiction over the inheritance matter.

Where there is a dispute as to whether the rabbinical court has jurisdiction over an inheritance matter, can it decide itself whether it does?

No!

Does a religious court which has gained jurisdiction over an inheritance issue have to decide according to religious law?

No! It can decide according to Israeli civil legislation, The Inheritance Law of 1965, and is not obliged to apply religious law, unless the necessary consent is obtained.