Crypto Estate Planning Checklist

📄 Document Your Crypto Holdings

Create a master asset inventory listing every cryptocurrency, token, and NFT you own, including ticker symbols and approximate values. Record all wallet addresses for each blockchain you use (Solana, Ethereum, Bitcoin, etc.), noting which are hot wallets vs. cold storage. List every exchange account (Coinbase, Kraken, Binance, etc.) with login email addresses and 2FA methods used. Document DeFi positions including staking, liquidity pools, lending protocols, and vesting schedules with contract addresses.

⚖ Choose the Right Trust Structure

Determine your trust type — a revocable living trust for flexibility, or an irrevocable trust for asset protection and tax benefits. Name a crypto-literate trustee who understands digital assets, or designate a professional fiduciary with blockchain experience. Include a digital asset clause in your trust document that explicitly covers cryptocurrency, tokens, NFTs, and future blockchain assets. Consider a dynasty trust for multigenerational wealth transfer if your crypto holdings are substantial and you want long-term asset protection.

👥 Set Up Beneficiary Access

Designate primary and contingent beneficiaries for each wallet and exchange account, specifying percentage splits. Create a transfer-on-death (TOD) instruction letter with step-by-step directions your beneficiaries can follow to access each account. Set up beneficiary designations on exchanges that support them, and confirm they match your trust provisions. Record legacy messages for your beneficiaries explaining your holdings, your wishes, and how to manage the assets responsibly.

🔒 Secure Seed Phrases & Private Keys

Store seed phrases in a fireproof safe or bank safety deposit box. Never store them digitally in plain text, email, or cloud storage. Use Shamir's Secret Sharing or multi-sig to split key access among multiple trusted parties so no single person holds full control. Engrave seed phrases on metal backup plates (steel or titanium) to protect against fire, flood, and physical degradation over time. Document your hardware wallet models (Ledger, Trezor, etc.), PIN access procedures, and firmware update history.

🔄 Review & Maintain Your Plan

Schedule an annual review of your crypto estate plan to add new assets, remove sold positions, and update valuations. Update beneficiary designations after major life events — marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or death of a beneficiary.

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