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Estate Planning7 min readMarch 10, 2024

The Problem with Traditional Estate Planning for Bitcoiners

Traditional estate planning tools were designed for a world of centralized assets. Bitcoin's self-custody model requires a fundamentally different approach.

Why Traditional Tools Fail

  • Paper documents can't secure digital assets
  • Probate courts don't understand Bitcoin
  • Lawyers lack technical expertise
  • Centralized points of failure
  • Privacy concerns

The Bitcoin Solution

Modern inheritance tools for Bitcoin include:

  • Programmable death triggers
  • Smart contract vaults
  • Time-locked releases
  • Multi-party consensus
  • Automated distribution

Smart Vault Technology

Smart vaults offer several advantages:

  • Automated execution
  • Conditional releases
  • Privacy preservation
  • Cost efficiency
  • Technical reliability

Building Your Bitcoin Estate Plan

Start with these fundamentals:

1. Technical infrastructure 2. Legal documentation 3. Family education 4. Regular testing 5. Emergency procedures

The future of estate planning is programmable, automated, and Bitcoin-native.