Bitcoin Estate Planning for U.S. Families | The Bitcoin Adviser
U.S. Context Page

Bitcoin Estate Planning: What U.S. Bitcoiners Get Wrong

Security is global, but risk is jurisdictional. For U.S. families, Bitcoin isn't just a technical challenge—it's a legal and structural one. Traditional estate planning often fails to account for digital bearer assets, leaving heirs with a "private key puzzle" that no probate court can solve. We build a U.S. trust layer that bridges the gap between your Bitcoin keys and your legal fiduciaries.

Quick Read

  • Why traditional U.S. Wills and Trusts often fail digital bearer assets.
  • How to coordinate with your U.S.-based lawyers and fiduciaries.
  • The "Reality Check": Why "Not Your Keys" means "Not Your Heirs" without a plan.
Disclaimer: This content is educational and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. We do not provide legal or tax advice; we work alongside your qualified U.S. professionals.
U.S. Realities

The Gap in U.S. Estate Law

Probate & Bearer Assets

U.S. probate courts are designed for titled assets (houses, stocks, bank accounts). Bitcoin is a bearer asset. If your heirs don't have the keys, no court order in the world can "recover" your sats. We help you document the technical process for the legal fiduciaries.

Trust Integration

Many U.S. families use Revocable Living Trusts or ILITs. But how does a Trustee actually manage 2-of-3 multisig? We provide the "Technical Insert" that makes your legal documents functional for Bitcoin. Learn where U.S. trust plans break →

Living Failure

Most estate plans focus on death. But for Bitcoiners, medical or legal incapacity is a far greater risk. If you can't sign, your assets are frozen. Building for incapacity →

Common Mistakes

What U.S. Bitcoiners Get Wrong

"My lawyer has it covered"

Most estate attorneys are experts in law, not cryptography. Relying on a lawyer to "hold the keys" or "know what to do" is a massive single point of failure. We educate your professionals so they can support your heirs.

"It's in my IRA/401(k)"

Custodial Bitcoin products (ETFs, IRAs) have different inheritance paths than self-custody. We help families manage the transition from "paper Bitcoin" to "actual Bitcoin" security.

The Solution

A Precision U.S. Trust Layer

We don't change the product for the U.S.—Bitcoin is global. Instead, we reframe the risk and coordinate the execution. Our collaborative security architecture ensures that your U.S.-based executors and trustees have the playbooks they need to succeed.

Working Alongside Your Team

We work with your existing U.S. lawyers, CPAs, and Trustees. We provide the "Bitcoin Estate Plan Protocol" (EPP)—a technical manual that accompanies your legal directives, ensuring generational continuity without crossing regulatory lines.

Protect Your U.S. Family Legacy

Don't leave your heirs guessing. Stress-test your plan with a discovery call to evaluate your current readiness.

Book A Planning Session Visit Security Centre Global Estate Planning