Bitcoin Executor Support
You are now responsible for administering Bitcoin. This page is for executors, trustees, and professional partners who need an operational path, not generic crypto advice.
In most estates, authority is established by documents. With Bitcoin, authority still matters, but it is not the same thing as control. Your job is to align legal authority with the technical reality of how the Bitcoin is held.
Executor administration is a continuity event. The same problem shows up in death, incapacity, trustee transition, key-person turnover, and lost devices: “We know the Bitcoin exists. We do not know how to access it safely.”
Family member in crisis right now? This page is not crisis triage. Use Inherited Bitcoin? Start Here for “do not panic” guidance.
Authority Is Not Control
Legal authority
Probate, executor powers, trustee duties, and court orders define who may act. They do not provide keys, signing capability, or a recovery path.
Doctrine: Legal authority vs Bitcoin control.
Cryptographic control
Bitcoin moves when the required keys sign. If the key material is missing, or if signers are unavailable, authority alone cannot execute.
For professional partners, see Law Firms and the Continuity framework.
The First 24 to 72 Hours
Do not make irreversible mistakes
- Do not type seed words into any website or app.
- Do not photograph or email seed words.
- Do not guess hardware wallet PINs. Many devices wipe after repeated attempts.
- Do not run “recovery software” without a controlled plan agreed with counsel.
- Do not move Bitcoin until authority, destination custody, and audit trail are clear.
Secure and stabilise
- Secure devices, paper, metal backups, and any sealed envelopes in a controlled location.
- Minimise the number of people handling anything Bitcoin-related.
- Preserve evidence and record what was found, where, and when.
Classify custody
- Exchange: estate support workflows (authority documents required).
- Self-custody: depends on seed phrases, hardware, and recovery paths.
- Multisig: may allow guided execution under documented authority.
Professional Administration Support
We provide non-custodial technical education and operational support so executors and trustees can administer Bitcoin safely, with counsel in the lead on legal questions.
Triage and risk assessment
- Identify what has been found and what it implies.
- Separate continuity issues (lost device, missing signer) from security emergencies (seed exposure).
- Design a safe next-step sequence that avoids key exposure.
Coordination with professional partners
- Work alongside your solicitor, estate attorney, and trustees.
- Ensure technical steps match the authority chain and fiduciary duties.
- Maintain an audit-friendly record of decisions and actions.
When key agency matters
Key agency is not only “TBA holds a key.” It is operational continuity through a trusted relationship. In a real continuity event, “call The Bitcoin Adviser” is often more survivable than “find the right page in the binder.” Learn more: Key Agent.
Executor Questions
Is this the same as “Inherited Bitcoin? Start Here”?
No. Inherited Bitcoin? Start Here is crisis triage for family members. This page is for executors, trustees, and lawyers administering an estate: authority alignment, custody classification, safe handling, and operational execution support.
What do you need from an executor to start?
Start with what you have, not what you wish you had: proof of authority (or timeline to obtain it), the names of any exchanges or wallet providers, and an inventory of found devices or documents. Do not send seed phrases.
Can you recover Bitcoin without seed phrases?
Sometimes. It depends on how the Bitcoin was held. Exchange custody often has estate workflows. Multisig and collaborative security may allow guided execution under documented authority. For self-custody without key material, recovery may be impossible.
Do you provide legal or tax advice?
No. We provide technical education and operational support for client-controlled Bitcoin. Work with qualified counsel and tax professionals for legal and tax advice. See scope and risks.
Related: Continuity · Estate planning · Emergency kit