The most difficult cases we handle involve heirs who knew a relative “had crypto” but received no instructions, no device list, and no contact for whoever helped set it up.
Minimum documentation package
- Device inventory — List every hardware wallet, its model, serial number, and purchase date.
- Seed phrase location — Not the phrase itself in the main document, but where it is stored (safe deposit box number, attorney’s vault, etc.).
- Purchase history — Exchange names, approximate dates, and email account used.
- Contact list — Name of anyone who helped set up wallets, including former colleagues or forum usernames.
- Letter of intent — Plain-language note explaining what you hold and what you want done with it.
What to avoid
- Storing the seed phrase in the same envelope as the inventory list
- Relying on a single copy of any document
- Assuming family members understand BIP39 word lists
When to involve us
If your holdings predate 2018, involve multiple devices, or include addresses you have not checked in five years, a pre-mortem dormant wallet review can produce a sealed report for your executor. We store it in our encrypted archive and release it only upon verified request from your designated contact.
This is estate documentation guidance, not legal or tax advice. Consult qualified professionals for binding arrangements.