Bitcoin inheritance plan for self-custody holders
A bitcoin inheritance plan makes sure your family can find and recover your self-custodied coins if you die — without exposing your keys to anyone while you're alive. Imok works as the delivery layer of that plan: you write an encrypted packet with the locations of your seed backups and step-by-step recovery instructions, name your successor, and check in regularly. If you stop checking in, the packet reaches your family automatically. Your coins don't end up among the estimated one-fifth of all bitcoin that may already be lost forever.
Why self-custody is unforgiving
There is no recovery process for self-custodied bitcoin. No support desk, no password reset, no next-of-kin form. Whoever holds the seed phrase holds the coins — and if that's only you, your holdings die with you. The failure modes are all common:
- Your seed plate is hidden too well — fireproof, floodproof, and completely invisible to the family searching your home.
- They find words but not the passphrase — a 25th-word passphrase protects your wallet, but an heir who doesn't know it exists recovers an empty wallet.
- They find the seed but can't operate a wallet — derivation paths, wallet software, and scam "recovery services" turn a rescue into a second loss.
- They don't even know bitcoin exists — self-custody done privately leaves no paper trail for your estate to follow.
What goes in the packet — and what never does
Your packet is encrypted in your browser with AES-256-GCM before upload — we can never read it. But the golden rule stands: the packet contains locations and instructions, never the seed words themselves. Anyone holding your reveal link and packet passphrase gets plaintext; a seed in plaintext can be spent from anywhere in the world, while a location still requires physical access. Your packet should include:
- Where your seed backups are — the hiding places of each metal plate (home, safe deposit box, family member's safe), described precisely enough for a stressed non-technical person to find them.
- Whether a passphrase exists and where it's kept — stored separately from the seed so no single discovery spends the coins.
- A beginner's restore walkthrough — which wallet software to use, what the words are for, what a derivation path note means if you use one, written for your actual successor.
- Scam warnings — "recovery experts" who contact grieving families are almost always thieves; tell your heir exactly who they're allowed to ask for help.
- Context and wishes — roughly what exists, whether to hold or sell, and any tax/legal professional to contact. Large holdings may also need proper legal structuring — this packet complements a will, it doesn't replace one.
Locations and instructions only — never your seed words.
How this compares to other inheritance setups
| Approach | Heirs can actually recover? | Security while you live | Complexity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead man's switch + hidden plates (Imok) | High — instructions arrive automatically | High — locations only, no keys exposed | Low — one afternoon to set up | Free in early access |
| Multisig 2-of-3 | Medium — depends on heirs operating it | Very high | High to set up and inherit | Hardware + time |
| Collaborative custody (Casa, Unchained) | High — guided process | High | Medium | Subscription |
| Exchange custody | Medium — months of claims paperwork | Counterparty risk | Low for you, high for heirs | Trading/custody fees |
| Letter in a safe deposit box | Low — goes stale, access delays | Medium | Low | Box rental |
These approaches combine well. Many holders use multisig or collaborative custody for the bulk of their stack and Imok as the layer that tells their family the setup exists and how to start the process.
How the switch works
You check in on a schedule you choose. Miss your window and you get five days of reminders first — nothing reaches anyone. If you still don't respond, your trusted contact gets a one-time notice deliberately worded so it doesn't reveal that a packet exists. Only then does your successor receive a one-time reveal link, valid for 30 days or a single use. Any check-in resets the switch, and a manual "Release now" override exists. Full details in how it works and our security model.
One more thing to arrange: your packet decryption passphrase must reach your successor through a separate channel — a sealed envelope with their documents, your attorney, or their password manager — otherwise the packet arrives but can't be opened. We cannot recover it for you; that's what zero-knowledge means.
Related reading
- Bitcoin inheritance planning: the complete guide
- What happens to your bitcoin when you die
- Zero-knowledge encryption, explained simply
- What is a dead man's switch?
- Pricing
Bitcoin inheritance — FAQ
Should I put my seed phrase in the packet?
No. Put the locations of your seed backups and recovery instructions in the packet, never the seed words. Anyone with your reveal link and packet passphrase gets plaintext — a seed in plaintext can be spent remotely, while a location still requires physical access.
Can Imok or a hacker read my bitcoin instructions?
No. Your packet is encrypted in your browser with AES-256-GCM (key derived via PBKDF2, 310,000 iterations) before upload. We store only ciphertext, and a server breach leaks ciphertext — not your instructions. Choose a strong packet passphrase.
What if my spouse isn't technical?
That's exactly who the packet is for. Write the restore walkthrough for a complete beginner: which wallet app, what the words mean, step by step, plus explicit scam warnings. One conversation with them today ("a document exists, here's how you'd get it") makes the whole plan work.
Is a dead man's switch legally enough to pass on bitcoin?
No — and it doesn't try to be. Imok is not a will or legal document; it solves the operational problem (your family can actually find and recover the coins). For clean legal transfer, especially of large holdings, pair it with proper estate documents from an attorney.
What happens if I just forget to check in?
Nothing irreversible. You get five days of reminders first, then your trusted contact gets a discreet notice that doesn't mention any packet. Only after your full grace period does the reveal link go out — and any check-in during the process resets everything. Pause the switch before long off-grid trips.
Free while in early access. Set up in under 15 minutes.