Are there services that help with Bitcoin self-custody and inheritance planning?

Yes, collaborative security provides both Bitcoin self-custody and inheritance planning in one integrated solution. It includes: professional multi-signature vaults (2-of-3) with hardware wallet integration for secure self-custody, documented Estate Plan Protocols for inheritance, beneficiary education and training, legal coordination with wills and trusts, and 24/7 incident response. Unlike DIY self-custody, collaborative security addresses both custody and inheritance simultaneously, ensuring your Bitcoin is secure during your lifetime and seamlessly transferable to heirs.

How does collaborative security combine self-custody and inheritance planning?

Collaborative security combines self-custody and inheritance planning by: 1) Providing professional multi-signature architecture (2-of-3) where you maintain control while eliminating single points of failure, 2) Creating comprehensive Estate Plan Protocols documenting recovery procedures for heirs, 3) Educating beneficiaries on Bitcoin security and access procedures, 4) Coordinating with legal professionals to integrate Bitcoin into wills and trusts, and 5) Providing ongoing support and maintenance. This ensures both secure custody during your lifetime and seamless inheritance when needed.

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Collaborative Security

Governance-Controlled Bitcoin Security Built for Inheritance

Collaborative Security is our three-party operating model built on standard 2-of-3 multisig. It eliminates unilateral control while keeping you in charge of every spend. We combine robust technical controls with documented recovery and inheritance readiness so your Bitcoin remains secure and usable through life events, personnel change, and generational transition.

Quick Read

No unilateral control: no one, not you, not us, not the platform, can move funds alone.
You initiate: you trigger transactions; we only co-sign after your authorization.
Inheritance-ready: an Estate Plan Protocol (EPP) turns “keys” into an actionable recovery process.
Operational support: optional reviews, key health checks, rehearsals, and incident response.
Built for scale: individuals, families, and family offices with governance requirements.

Why We Built It

Most loss events come from one of three failure modes: counterparty failure (exchanges/custodians), single-signer failure (lost key, death, incapacity), or operational ambiguity (no clear procedure under pressure). Collaborative Security reduces all three by separating duties and documenting execution.

Smartest Person Failure Mode: high competence often leads to brittle, overly complex custody schemes. Understand the risk →

Learn why “leave it on an exchange” fails in practice: Read the case study →

Combined Service

Services for Bitcoin Self-Custody and Inheritance Planning

Collaborative Security provides both professional Bitcoin self-custody and comprehensive inheritance planning in one integrated solution. Unlike DIY self-custody that leaves inheritance as an afterthought, or inheritance planning without proper custody structure, collaborative security addresses both needs simultaneously.

Bitcoin Self-Custody

You maintain full control: initiate every transaction
Hardware wallet integration (Trezor recommended)
2-of-3 multisig eliminates single points of failure
Professional oversight without sacrificing sovereignty
24/7 incident response for lost keys or device failures

Inheritance Planning

Documented Estate Plan Protocol (EPP) for heirs
Beneficiary education and training programs
No single point of failure for beneficiaries
Legal coordination with wills and trusts
Seamless transition to next generation

Why Self-Custody Needs Inheritance Planning

Self-custody alone doesn't solve inheritance challenges. Research shows that 28% of Bitcoin is lost forever due to lost private keys, forgotten passwords, death without proper planning, and technical complexity for heirs. Even technically perfect self-custody setups fail when:

Heirs inherit seed phrases without understanding how to use them
Single-signer custody means funds are frozen when the key holder is gone
Professionals (executors, trustees) lack credentials or training to execute recovery
No documented procedures exist for beneficiaries to follow

Collaborative security solves both problems: You get professional self-custody with multisig architecture, hardware wallet integration, and ongoing support. Simultaneously, you get comprehensive inheritance planning with documented protocols, beneficiary education, and legal coordination. Learn more about estate planning →

Self-Custody Alone

You control your keys
No professional fees
Requires technical expertise
Single point of failure risk
Inheritance planning is DIY
No professional oversight
Family must become Bitcoin experts

Collaborative Security with Inheritance

You control your keys (2-of-3 multisig)
1% annual fee for professional service
Professional handles complexity
No single points of failure
Comprehensive inheritance planning included
24/7 professional oversight
Family gets documented, simple procedures

Framework Overview

How the Model Works

Three Independent Key Agents

You: hold a key and initiate transactions.
Technology partner (Theya or Unchained): vault platform and coordination layer.
The Bitcoin Adviser: security oversight, continuity support, and co-signing under your authorization.

Two Signatures Required

Quorum-based spending: 2-of-3 signatures are required for every spend.
Redundancy without surrender: you retain control while removing a single point of failure.
Continuity by design: documented procedures keep the system executable for trustees/heirs.

Control Map (Plain English)

Role	Holds a key?	Can initiate spends?	Can move funds alone?
You	Yes	Yes	No (needs one co-signer)
Technology partner (Theya/Unchained)	Yes	No	No (needs one co-signer)
The Bitcoin Adviser	Yes	No	No (needs one co-signer)

Put simply: you remain sovereign, and the system stays recoverable if life happens.

Spending & Authorization

How a Withdrawal Works

1 · You Initiate

You initiate the transaction from your account. You always remain the originator of spending intent.

2 · Authorization & Verification

We co-sign only after your authorization. For higher-risk events (e.g., large withdrawals, address changes, unusual patterns), we may use additional verification steps.

3 · Co-Signing & Broadcast

Once authorized, the required co-signer signs and the transaction can be broadcast. You can maintain your own records and reporting for accountants, auditors, trustees, or committees.

Reasonable Safety Checks (Not Friction)

Collaborative Security is designed to prevent catastrophic outcomes without turning spending into a bureaucratic process. When additional checks are required, they are applied to the risk event (e.g., address change), not to normal day-to-day control.

Implementation

From Setup to Ongoing Operations

1 · Onboard

Choose a vault platform (Theya or Unchained), coordinate key creation, confirm roles, and capture key contacts for continuity planning.

2 · Operate

View balances anytime, initiate transactions when required, and maintain a clear, repeatable workflow for approvals and records.

3 · Maintain

Optional periodic reviews: key health checks, device refreshes, role updates, and rehearsals to prevent “governance drift” over time.

Benefits

Why Clients Choose Collaborative Security

For You

Eliminate single points of failure without handing control to a third party.
Clear spending workflow: you initiate; co-signing follows your authorization.
Built to scale from personal stacks to committee-based governance.
Transparent fees and terms. See pricing →

For Your Family & Fiduciaries

Estate Plan Protocol (EPP) turns “keys” into an actionable recovery and inheritance process.
Education-first approach so heirs and trustees can execute calmly and correctly.
Reduced trustee paralysis through documentation, role clarity, and optional rehearsals.

Technical Controls

2-of-3 multisig with hardware isolation and distributed responsibility.
Repeatable process for approvals and record keeping.
Optional safety checks for higher-risk events (e.g., address changes).

Transparency & Reporting

You always hold title to the Bitcoin.
Reporting support for accountants, auditors, trustees, and committees.
Plain-language terms and process before funding the vault.

Inheritance is the Constraint

Self-Custody That Survives Real Life

Most Bitcoin custody setups optimize for storage, not execution under stress. Collaborative Security is designed for the moments that break DIY systems: incapacity, death, loss of a device, role turnover, and family coordination under time pressure.

Common Failure Modes

Heirs receive words or devices with no practical procedure.
Single-signer custody freezes when the key holder is unavailable.
Trustees/executors have legal authority but no technical control path.
No rehearsed or documented process exists for recovery.

What We Deliver

Documented Estate Plan Protocol (EPP) aligned to your structure.
Beneficiary and fiduciary readiness (education + optional rehearsals).
Role clarity and continuity planning to prevent drift over time.
Coordination support with your legal team where relevant.

Explore the dedicated inheritance pathway: Estate Planning & Inheritance →

Bring Your Bitcoin Under Collaborative Security

If you’re on an exchange or running single-sig, we can migrate you safely. If you’re already advanced, we can harden governance, document procedures, and make inheritance executable.

Book a Working Session Plan for Inheritance

Track Record

Proven Through Multiple Cycles

Zero Satoshis Lost

Operating since 2016 Global client base Significant client holdings secured

Whether you're an individual, a multi-generational family, or a family office committee, our goal is the same: no unilateral control, clear procedures, and survivable continuity.

Who It's For

Built for Serious Bitcoin Holders

Individuals & Families

New Bitcoiners who want professional onboarding.
Long-term holders upgrading from single-sig.
Families who want inheritance and continuity solved properly.

Institutions & Advisors

Family offices implementing governance-controlled systems.
Financial advisers needing client-ready workflows.
Law firms coordinating Bitcoin estate/trust mandates.

FAQ

Common Questions

Can The Bitcoin Adviser move my Bitcoin without me?

No. The system is designed so no single party can move funds alone. You initiate spending intent, and co-signing occurs only after your authorization, with 2-of-3 required.

Is this “custody” or self-custody?

It is best described as governance-controlled self-custody: standard multisig architecture plus documented processes that keep Bitcoin secure, recoverable, and transferable across life events.

What happens if I lose a device or a key?

The model is built for recoverability. With 2-of-3, a single failure does not freeze funds. We guide the recovery process and help restore the system to a healthy state (including key/device refresh where appropriate).

How do you handle inheritance and trustees/executors?

Through a documented Estate Plan Protocol (EPP) and optional education/rehearsals. The goal is to give fiduciaries an executable procedure, not a "bag of keys" with no operating manual.

Where should I start if I’m new to this?

Start with your knowledge base and guides: Security Centre, Buy Bitcoin Resources, and FAQs. Then book a working session to implement properly.

Ready to Secure Your Bitcoin?

Book a session to tailor Collaborative Security to your portfolio, family structure, and jurisdictional requirements.

Schedule Consultation Contact Us

Continue Your Planning