US Family Estate Guide
Legal clarity first. Vaults implement the plan.
- Legal roles and ownership come first
- Vaults map to entities (personal, trust, business, child, IRA/HSA)
- TBA implements governance and documentation—not legal or tax advice
This free resource helps you visualize what "great" looks like and spot gaps you might not have considered. Getting the legal structures right can reduce friction, delays, and costly mistakes—and ensure stability for your family.
Most People Fail Here
The legal and estate layer decides what happens to your Bitcoin. Vaults are the security implementation—but without clear roles and documents, even the best setup can fail at inheritance or incapacity.
Roles
Executor, Successor Trustee, Guardian, Agents (POA), corporate delegates. Each role carries authority; each needs to know how the plan is executed (and who holds what) when you cannot.
Documents
Will or trust, POA, healthcare directive, digital asset inventory, letter of instruction. Your attorney structures these; your fiduciaries need a runbook to act.
Key point: Legal authority alone does not give technical access. Courts grant authority; Bitcoin requires keys. This is where many plans break.
Common gaps families overlook: No successor trustee named, no inventory, no runbook, SDIRA/HSA treated like personal vaults. If you don't know what's missing, you can't fix it.
Multiple Vaults, Multiple Owners
Mature families often have multiple vaults because they have multiple owners or entities. This is normal—not advice, just a model your attorney may use.
"Great looks like: each vault has a clear owner, purpose, operators, continuity path, and documented runbook."
Vault categories (examples):
- Personal: Core + spending buffer
- Trust: Generational reserve + distribution
- Business: Treasury + reserves
- Children: Future fund / education
- Account-rule vaults: SDIRA, HSA (treated differently under tax and fiduciary rules)
Build Your Estate Map
Adjust the inputs below to model your situation. The map updates as you go. Use the scorecard to spot gaps and the Professional Brief to prepare for your attorney or CPA.
This model reflects common US estate/beneficiary mechanics for digital assets and retirement/health accounts. Confirm specifics with your licensed professionals.
Household
Owners / entities
Readiness
Roles
Documents
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Mention "Estate Readiness Review" or "Vault Portfolio Governance" in your message so we route you to the right adviser.
What We Do / What We Don't Do
We do: Technical education, vault governance, documentation, continuity drills, coordination support with your attorney and CPA.
We don't: Provide legal, tax, or financial advice; custody funds; replace your attorney, CPA, or other professionals.
This page is for educational purposes only. Consult qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.
FAQs
Why multiple vaults?
Different entities (personal, trust, business, SDIRA, HSA) often require separate vaults for legal, tax, and operational clarity. Each has different owners, rules, and continuity paths.
Why do SDIRA and HSA differ?
SDIRAs and HSAs have account-specific rules from the IRS and custodians. They can hold Bitcoin but are subject to different tax treatment and fiduciaries. Your CPA and plan administrator guide those structures.
Do kids need keys?
Minors typically do not hold keys directly. A trust, UTMA, or similar structure holds the Bitcoin; a custodian or trustee manages until the child reaches the age specified. Your attorney designs this.
What happens if one spouse dies?
Personal vaults with joint control may pass to the survivor. Trust vaults follow the trust document; the Successor Trustee steps in. The key is that fiduciaries know where keys are and how to sign—that's the runbook.
What does inventory/runbook include?
An inventory lists vaults, key holders, and locations. A runbook gives fiduciaries step-by-step procedures to recover or transact. TBA helps you document both—we don't custody; we help you create the playbook.
How does TBA fit without custody?
We provide governance frameworks, documentation templates, continuity drills, and coordination with your attorney and CPA. You hold the keys; we help you structure and document so your family can act when needed.
Part of our U.S. resources. See also Bitcoin Estate Planning for U.S. Families, Bitcoin Governance, and Contact.