Inheritance with Keeper
Not a one-size-fits-all solution
There has been much interest in how different multisig products support inheritance planning. It was important to lay out our philosophy rather than compare features with other products.
Pillars of the Philosophy
Inheritance toolkit: Our approach is based on the understanding that no two users’ inheritance needs are the same. It provides a toolkit that allows users to craft a personalised bitcoin inheritance plan. For example, it does not assume that the heir is an adult who can manage digital information or even needs to know about the inheritance.
Leveraging existing systems: Inheritance is not new and has been practised for centuries, even for bearer assets like gold. As such, many mechanisms are already available that could be leveraged. An example is keeping one of the n keys in a safety deposit box or bank locker, where the heir is the nominee and can get access only after the owner’s death.
Legal ownership: Having access to the keys is not enough. Some users want to ensure that the heir is also the legal owner. Though no technological solution can ensure legal title transfer, we have worked with attorneys specialising in this space to provide some optional documents and templates that will help an attorney doing this for the user.
Key-centric approach: Instead of focusing on specific wallets, Keeper focuses on the inheritance of keys. This is grounded in the belief that the control and access facilitated by bitcoin keys are the actual assets being bequeathed. Keeper’s model, therefore, focuses on ensuring the security of keys, passing them to the heir and information needed to manage them. Any funds these keys control are ultimately in the control of the heir. This also allows users to use their wallets freely without moving funds to and from an “Inheritance wallet”. Furthermore, it also enables bequeathing multiple wallets.
No lock-ins: Because users have differing needs, Keeper offers all tools, including the Inheritance Key, as an optional option. Many are available at the free Pleb tier. There are no lock-ins, and the solution works even without the Keeper app.
The Approach
The toolkit is divided into three parts:
Key Security: This area guides users on safeguarding their keys for themselves and their heirs. It includes safeguarding tips for secure storage and usage tips for performing transactions. The innovative Canary Wallet is a hot wallet that acts as an on-chain alarm for unauthorised key access. If needed, assisted Keys (2FA-based Signing Server and time-delayed Inheritance Key) provide an additional helping hand.
Backup & Recovery: Offering three distinct backup options, this section allows users to use the Keeper Recovery Key, back up wallet configurations to their own cloud, and download individual BSMS files for multisigs. Comprehensive backup and recovery tips accompany them.
Inheritance Documents: This segment provides essential templates and instructions, including a Letter to the Attorney, Recovery Instructions for the Heir, Additional Key Details, and a Template for Trusted Contacts. It is all complemented by practical inheritance tips.
There is more …
Some salient aspects of the app that make Keeper Inheritance the best offering in the market:
Privacy: The user does not have to divulge any information to us at any point. We cannot access the wallet configurations, so we can’t even see the balances.
Concierge: Users can opt to get more help using the concierge service, which lets them chat with a specialist or even schedule a call for more hands-on support.
With Keeper’s comprehensive inheritance toolkit and the app’s focus on security and privacy, users can sleep peacefully knowing their generational wealth is well-secured for themselves and their loved ones.
