Why it matters
Legal authority alone cannot move bitcoin. An executor with a court order but no technical access cannot fulfill their duties. Effective inheritance planning must ensure that legal authority and technical capability converge at the right time.
How it works
For self-custody, fiduciary access requires documented procedures for locating and using seed phrases, plus the technical knowledge to execute recovery. For custodial holdings, the custody provider must have verified procedures for recognizing fiduciary authority and transferring account access. Both require advance preparation.
Example
An executor presents a death certificate and letters testamentary to a custody provider. The provider's legal team verifies the documents, confirms the executor's identity, and grants account access according to documented procedures. The executor can now manage the holdings according to the will.
Related terms
- Bitcoin executor
- Probate
- Bitcoin trust
- Heir access
- Incapacity planning
- Bitcoin inheritance
- Beneficiary designation
