Estate planning
Bitcoin Inheritance
Bitcoin you can't pass on is Bitcoin your family loses forever. This hub explains how to plan so your heirs can access your coins when the time comes — without compromising your security while you're alive.
Quick Answer
Bitcoin inheritance is about making sure trusted people can access your coins after you're gone, without exposing them while you're alive. It means documenting what you hold and where, leaving clear access instructions secured separately from your assets, choosing a method (sealed instructions, multisig, or an inheritance service), and addressing it in your will with professional help.
Inheritance Guides
Why Inheritance Matters
Self-custody means no bank to call — without a plan, your Bitcoin can be lost forever. The access problem, explained.
6 min readCreate an Inheritance Plan
Step by step: inventory your holdings, write access instructions, choose a trusted person, and keep it updated.
8 min readInheritance Methods
The options and their trade-offs: sealed instructions, multisig with heirs, Shamir backups, and collaborative custody.
8 min readLegal & Tax Considerations
Naming Bitcoin in a will without exposing keys, executors, jurisdiction differences, and estate or inheritance tax.
7 min readRecommended Exchange
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my Bitcoin when I die?
If you hold your own keys and no one else can access them, your Bitcoin becomes permanently unrecoverable when you die — there's no bank or company to release it. A plan that lets a trusted person find and access the coins is the only way to prevent that.
Should I just give my heirs my seed phrase now?
Generally no — that hands them full control of your coins today, creating a security and trust risk while you're alive. Inheritance planning aims to give access only when needed, using sealed instructions, multisig, or a service rather than simply sharing your seed.
Can I put Bitcoin in my will?
You can reference Bitcoin in your will as part of your estate, but you should never write the actual seed phrase or private keys in it — wills can become public. Name the asset and point to where secured access instructions are kept, with help from an estate attorney.
Is Bitcoin inheritance taxed?
In many countries Bitcoin is part of your taxable estate and may be subject to estate or inheritance tax, with rules and thresholds that vary widely and change. Heirs may also face capital-gains rules when they later sell. Confirm with a local tax professional.
This is general educational information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Estate and inheritance laws vary by country and your situation is unique — consult a qualified estate-planning attorney and tax professional in your jurisdiction before acting.