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  3. Unchained Inheritance Protocol

What is the Unchained Inheritance Protocol?

The Unchained Inheritance Protocol is a guide to passing down bitcoin to future generations.

Bitcoin is designed as a long-term savings asset, but preparing to pass your bitcoin down through future generations requires more than just transferring the private keys to your bitcoin.

We designed the Unchained Inheritance Protocol to help you quickly and easily solve the following problems: 

  • How do I ensure that my loved ones will be able to access my bitcoin in the event of my demise, especially if they are less technical?
  • How can I maintain my financial privacy and avoid creating a single point of failure for my bitcoin while I am still alive?
  • How do I find an estate planner who can help me write an effective will or trust?

A complete inheritance solution ensures that your intended loved ones get possession of your keys and valid title to your bitcoin under the terms of your estate planning documents. If a loved one has physical possession of the keys but your estate plan doesn’t grant them good title, an unintended beneficiary can sue that loved one for possession and other damages. Properly planning for possession and title will save your family and estate from a possible arduous and extended legal process when the time comes.

Tip: If you already have a trust, you can onboard it with an Unchained trust account. If you're interested in creating a legal trust, consult your lawyer or estate planning professional.

How do I acquire the Inheritance Protocol?

There are two ways to receive the Inheritance Protocol.

  1. You can download a PDF copy to print out yourself. We recommend purchasing an envelope and tamper-evident bag yourself separately.
  2. Purchase the complete Inheritance Protocol directly from Unchained. We will include an envelope and tamper-evident bag in your order.

Unchained Inheritance Protocol contents:

Key succession and transfer-of-title checklist: Walks you through individual steps to take with the rest of the inheritance materials.

Executor/trustee letter A: Introduces the responsibility of protecting a bitcoin key to be read by the executor upon delivery of the key while you are still alive.

Executor/trustee letter B: Walks an executor through the bitcoin recovery steps and is only to be opened upon your death or incapacitation.

Unchained inheritance seed phrase card: To be used to write down a copy of a seed phrase that protects the Unchained vault(s) that you would like the executor to recover.

Estate planner evaluation questions: To help you interview potential estate planners to assist with forming your estate plan.

Envelope: An envelope where you seal the Unchained inheritance seed phrase and executor letter B once they are filled out.

Tamper-evident bag: To protect the envelope containing the Unchained inheritance seed phrase and executor letter B.

Tip: If you download the PDF yourself, there are a few options for acquiring an envelope and plastic tamper-evident bag. For example, you might order them from an online retailer like Amazon or pick them up from your bank or office supply store. It’s important that whichever options you choose are opaque and impermeable to light.

If you have questions about the Inheritance Protocol or would like assistance setting it up, consider signing up for Premium Support. This is a one-on-one call with one of our specialists.