Unchained assists heirs inheriting bitcoin by providing a signature from one of the private keys associated with bitcoin in an Unchained vault. Two things are required if a client wishes to reliably pass bitcoin to inheritors: legal title and key succession.
Legal title: Unchained will only assist clients that we are legally allowed to. If there is no surviving accountholder, the executor of your estate will need to present relevant documentation from a probate office or court as evidence of appointment. Depending on the state or specific circumstances involved, documents requested may include, but not be limited to, the following: Short Certificate, Certificate of Appointment, Letters Testamentary, birth or marriage certificate, or proof of legal name change.
Due to the sensitive nature of these processes, Unchained does not publicly disclose its policies for verifying probate information. However, it typically involves contacting relevant organizations, such as probate offices or courts, and cross-referencing provided probate information.
Establishing an estate plan is a crucial step in effectively transferring legal title. Please consult an estate planning attorney to determine the proper course of action for your situation.
Key succession: Even with a proper succession of legal title, the bitcoin network plays by its own set of unbreakable rules. In the case of Unchained vaults, two keys are always required to move the bitcoin and Unchained only holds one. Therefore, clients absolutely must have a plan to effectively pass a key to inheritors.
The Unchained Inheritance Protocol provides everything a client needs to discreetly ensure the succession of a key.
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 in your jurisdiction.