Bitcoin After You Pass Away
Why Bitcoin is easy to lose without a plan—and what heirs need to know.
Bitcoin Taxes & Estate Planning
Planning Bitcoin Inheritance
Steps so heirs can access Bitcoin without exposing keys too early.
Overview
Inheritance planning should name who receives Bitcoin, how they discover wallets and backups, and who helps them at the right time. Multisig, time-locked instructions, and professional estate counsel can reduce the risk of permanent loss or premature exposure.
Never put seed phrases in a will filed in public court. Use secure storage and separate letters of instruction delivered through your attorney or trusted executor.
Goals of a Bitcoin estate plan
Heirs should know assets exist and how to use backups when appropriate—without publishing secrets prematurely.
Legal title and technical instructions should align. A will naming an heir helps little if seeds are unknown.
Technical structures
Multisig, time-locked guides, and safety deposit references in legal documents are common patterns.
Never print seeds in probate filings. Use sealed letters delivered through counsel.
Maintenance
Review plans after wallet migrations or family changes. Outdated guides waste time during grief.
Consider professionals versed in digital assets if balances are material to your estate.
