Crypto Inheritance Checklist
A practical checklist to help you document your crypto holdings, verify trusted contacts, and prepare for inheritance. Non-custodial. No seed phrases.
This is not financial, legal, or tax advice.
Your crypto inheritance checklist
Use this checklist to assess your current crypto inheritance readiness. Each item helps ensure your digital assets can be recovered by the right people.
- Create a high-level inventory of all crypto holdings (exchanges, wallets, staking)
- Document wallet types: hardware wallets, software wallets, exchange accounts
- Record where private keys and seed phrases are stored (without writing them down insecurely)
- Identify trusted contacts who could assist with recovery (spouse, executor, adviser)
- Decide on verification requirements for each trusted contact (ID checks, video calls)
- Define recovery triggers: death, incapacity, loss of access
- Consider multisig arrangements to prevent single points of failure
- Review existing will provisions and ensure they reference digital assets
- Document any exchange accounts and 2FA recovery methods
- Store Policy Pack in a secure but accessible location
- Schedule annual reviews to keep contacts and policies current
- Ensure executors understand their role without exposing private keys
- Consider how assets will be transferred (on-chain vs exchange withdrawal)
- Document any trust structures that hold crypto assets
- Review beneficiary designations and ensure they align with your will
- Discuss the plan with your solicitor and/or IFA
Download the checklist
Get a printable PDF version of this checklist to work through at your own pace or share with your family and advisers. Download PDF
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about crypto inheritance planning in the UK.
Do I need to put my seed phrase in my will?
No. Wills become public documents during probate, which could expose your seed phrases. Instead, reference a secure, separate recovery process in your will, with trusted contacts and verification workflows documented privately.
What if my family doesn't understand crypto?
This is exactly why a structured process matters. Bitzo helps guide verified contacts through recovery steps with clear documentation and UK-based phone support. Your family doesn't need to be technical experts.
How do executors access crypto without private keys?
Executors work with pre-verified trusted contacts who have access to the necessary keys or devices. Bitzo coordinates the verification and handover process without ever holding keys ourselves.
Can I use this checklist with my existing will?
Yes. This checklist is designed to complement your existing estate planning. Reference a secure crypto recovery process in your will without changing its core provisions.
How often should I update my crypto inheritance plan?
We recommend annual reviews to ensure contacts are still valid, holdings are documented, and recovery workflows remain current. Major life events should also trigger a review.
Does Bitzo provide legal or tax advice?
No. Bitzo provides operational coordination for crypto inheritance planning. We do not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. We recommend consulting appropriate professionals for those matters.
Need help getting started?
Speak to our UK-based team for a no-obligation conversation about your situation. Speak to us or read the full guide.