The step procedure of legalizing a foreign spouse or consort of an Israeli citizen in Israel, or simply the Step Procedure - such procedure exists not only in Israel, but in many other countries as well. In Israel, this procedure lasts from 5 to 8 years depending on its type: it is applied either to an official marriage partner, or to a known consort of an Israeli citizen. The final step of this procedure is acquiring of Israeli citizenship or a permanent resident status.
It is thought that the Step Procedure is too difficult to deal with without the help of a lawyer. It is not so, after all. You can master all the necessary norms and requirements by yourself, and file all the documents to start the Step Procedure. Of course, as with any bureaucratic procedure, you may hire an Assistant.