Question 1

What types of digital assets can I store?

Accepted Answer

You can store anything your loved ones might need access to: online banking and investment accounts, insurance policies, passwords and logins, crypto wallets and recovery phrases, cloud storage links, important documents, and personal instructions.

Question 2

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Create a free account, add a few key assets (like your main bank account, email, or password manager), and then add at least one beneficiary. You can expand and refine your digital legacy over time—there's no need to complete everything in one session.

Question 3

Can I change my beneficiaries or assets later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can update, add, or remove assets and beneficiaries at any time. Changes are applied immediately and will be reflected the next time legacy access is triggered.

Question 4

Do my beneficiaries need an Ever Legacy account?

Accepted Answer

No. Beneficiaries receive a secure access link by email when the system determines it's time to share your data. They don't need to sign up unless they want to manage their own digital legacy.

Question 5

How secure is my data?

Accepted Answer

All sensitive vault data is encrypted at rest using AES-256-GCM, an industry-standard algorithm used in banking and enterprise systems. Each user has a unique encryption key, and we use authenticated encryption to protect both confidentiality and integrity.

Question 6

Is this a zero-knowledge system?

Accepted Answer

No. Ever Legacy uses strong server-side encryption but is not a strict zero-knowledge system. The server holds the master key needed to decrypt data so it can deliver your assets to beneficiaries when the heartbeat conditions are met. We explain this transparently on our Security page.

Question 7

Can you read my encrypted data?

Accepted Answer

We don't browse or analyze the contents of your encrypted vault for marketing, profiling, or advertising purposes. Operationally, the service is capable of decrypting your data in order to deliver it to your beneficiaries when the conditions you configured are met, but we design our processes to minimize human access and rely on automated systems.

Question 8

What happens if your database is breached?

Accepted Answer

If an attacker somehow gained access to the raw database, they would only see encrypted vault records without the master key. We also use separate per-user keys, HTTPS/TLS for all communication in transit, and follow defense-in-depth practices to reduce the impact of potential breaches.

Question 9

How do beneficiaries access their assigned assets?

Accepted Answer

When legacy access is triggered, each beneficiary receives a secure email with a unique access link. After verifying their identity, they can view only the assets you explicitly assigned to them—nothing more.

Question 10

When will my beneficiaries get access?

Accepted Answer

Access is granted only after the heartbeat system decides you're truly inactive. This requires multiple missed heartbeat checks over time plus the grace period you configured. We don't grant access after a single missed email or temporary unavailability.

Question 11

What if I accidentally trigger legacy access?

Accepted Answer

Legacy access isn't triggered by a single event. It requires repeated missed heartbeat checks and the grace period to pass. If you come back and respond to a heartbeat email, access will not be granted, or will be cancelled if it's still in a pending state.

Question 12

Can beneficiaries see each other's assigned assets?

Accepted Answer

No. Each beneficiary only sees the assets you assigned specifically to them. They cannot see which other beneficiaries exist or what assets you shared with someone else.

Question 13

What's the difference between Free and Pro?

Accepted Answer

The Free plan lets you start with a limited number of assets and beneficiaries, which is enough for a basic digital legacy plan. The Pro plan increases these limits significantly and may include additional features like priority support and advanced heartbeat options.

Question 14

Can I downgrade or cancel my plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can downgrade from Pro to Free or cancel your subscription at any time. If you downgrade, you'll need to stay within the Free plan limits. If you cancel, your data remains encrypted and you can choose to export or delete it.

Question 15

What happens to my data if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

Your vault data remains encrypted. You can keep it in a read-only state for your own reference, or you can export and delete it permanently if you prefer. We explain your options clearly during cancellation.

Question 16

Do you offer a free trial?

Accepted Answer

We don't offer a separate free trial. Instead, you can start with the Free plan and upgrade to Pro only if you need more assets, beneficiaries, or advanced features.

Question 17

Is Ever Legacy a legal will?

Accepted Answer

No. Ever Legacy is not a legal will and does not replace one. It's a digital tool that complements your formal estate plan by organizing your online accounts, documents, and instructions.

Question 18

Will my lawyer or bank accept this as a legal document?

Accepted Answer

Ever Legacy is designed to work alongside your legal will and estate documents, not instead of them. We recommend discussing your digital assets with your lawyer and making sure your executor knows about your Ever Legacy vault.

Question 19

Does this replace my existing estate plan?

Accepted Answer

No. Your existing estate plan (will, trust, insurance policies, etc.) remains the primary legal framework. Ever Legacy helps make sure your digital life and practical details are accessible and understandable to your loved ones.

Question 20

In which countries can I use Ever Legacy?

Accepted Answer

Ever Legacy is a digital service and can be used from most countries, but the legal treatment of digital assets varies by jurisdiction. For specific legal advice, please consult a local attorney who understands estate planning in your country.

Question 21

How often will I receive heartbeat check emails?

Accepted Answer

By default, heartbeat checks are sent every few months, but you can adjust the frequency in your settings. The goal is to strike a balance between peace of mind and avoiding unnecessary emails.

Question 22

What happens if I don't respond to heartbeat emails?

Accepted Answer

Missing a single heartbeat email does not immediately trigger legacy access. The system will send follow-up reminders and only after multiple missed checks and the grace period will it mark you as inactive and start the legacy access process.

Question 23

What if I'm traveling or temporarily unavailable?

Accepted Answer

If you expect to be unavailable (travel, hospital stay, etc.), you can temporarily adjust your heartbeat settings or respond to a heartbeat email before leaving. We also use multiple checks over time to reduce the risk of false triggers.

Question 24

Can I change the heartbeat frequency later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can update the heartbeat interval and grace period at any time in your account settings. Changes take effect for future checks.

Question 25

What is digital inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Digital inheritance is the process of passing access to online accounts, files, cryptocurrency, and other electronic records to trusted people after death or incapacity. It combines inventory, secure storage, legal estate planning, and technical delivery so heirs are not locked out of email, finances, photos, and credentials.

Question 26

What happens to online accounts after death?

Accepted Answer

Each provider sets its own policy. Some offer inactive-account tools or deceased-user requests; others memorialized profiles without granting login. Without preparation, most accounts remain inaccessible while billing may continue. Heirs need both legal authority and recovery credentials.

Question 27

Can crypto be inherited?

Accepted Answer

Crypto can transfer to heirs if they obtain valid keys, seed phrases, or exchange access through documented paths. Blockchain assets are not held by a bank that resets passwords. Without keys, inheritance is technically impossible regardless of probate outcomes.

Question 28

What is a dead man's switch?

Accepted Answer

A dead man's switch releases stored information or takes action when someone stops confirming they are okay within a set period. In digital planning, it often delivers encrypted passwords and instructions to beneficiaries after missed check-ins.

Question 29

Can passwords be inherited?

Accepted Answer

Passwords are not property like real estate, but authorized access can be planned. Fiduciaries may have legal access rights in some jurisdictions while still facing 2FA and encryption barriers. Store credentials in secure inheritance systems referenced by estate documents.

Question 30

How can family access accounts after death?

Accepted Answer

Paths include pre-configured inactive account managers, password manager emergency access, provider deceased-user processes with death certificates, and inheritance vaults with conditional release. Success requires advance setup — not ad hoc support calls alone.

Question 31

What happens to 2FA after death?

Accepted Answer

Two-factor codes on the deceased person's phone or hardware key usually stop working for heirs. Backup codes, duplicate hardware keys, or provider recovery flows become critical. Without them, even correct passwords fail.

Question 32

What happens to password managers after death?

Accepted Answer

Heirs need the master password or an active emergency access invitation configured before death. Managers do not automatically unlock for executors. Document the manager used and recovery path in an inheritance plan.

Question 33

What digital assets should be documented?

Accepted Answer

Document email, banking, investments, insurance portals, crypto wallets and exchanges, cloud storage, social media, subscriptions, domain names, business accounts, and location of legal scans. Include what exists — not necessarily every password inline.

Question 34

What is digital estate planning?

Accepted Answer

Digital estate planning aligns legal documents with practical access to electronic life: inventorying assets, naming fiduciaries, consenting to fiduciary access where required, and storing credentials for timed release. It complements wills and trusts rather than replacing them.

Question 35

Can heirs access cloud storage?

Accepted Answer

Only with account credentials or provider-specific deceased-user or inactive-account processes. iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox each differ. Shared folders help for collaborative content but do not replace full account access.

Question 36

What happens to social media accounts after death?

Accepted Answer

Platforms may memorialized, delete, or in limited cases provide content download. Ownership typically does not transfer. Legacy contacts on some networks allow limited management. Set preferences while alive.

Question 37

Is it safe to store passwords in a will?

Accepted Answer

Generally no. Wills may become public in probate, exposing secrets. Passwords change faster than wills update. Reference a secure vault in the will instead of listing credentials in the document.

Question 38

What should be included in a digital inheritance plan?

Accepted Answer

An asset inventory, beneficiary assignments, encrypted credential storage, inactivity or legal trigger rules, 2FA backup handling, plain-language instructions for heirs, and alignment with your attorney-drafted estate documents.

Question 39

What is a digital executor?

Accepted Answer

A person authorized — in a will or local law — to manage digital assets and access. They may overlap with the estate executor or be a separate appointee with technical comfort. Legal authority alone does not bypass encryption.

Question 40

Can encrypted data be inherited?

Accepted Answer

Yes if heirs receive decryption keys or access through a service that can deliver encrypted payloads at trigger. Zero-knowledge systems require key transfer out of band. Plan key custody as carefully as the data itself.

Question 41

How do secure inheritance systems work?

Accepted Answer

They encrypt stored entries, assign them to beneficiaries, monitor activity through check-ins or manual triggers, and release secure links after verification. Server-side models enable automated delivery; zero-knowledge models shift key responsibility to you.

Question 42

What are the biggest digital inheritance mistakes?

Accepted Answer

Never documenting accounts, sharing seed phrases too early, relying on a single email for all recoveries, ignoring 2FA backup codes, assuming probate unlocks logins, and never updating the plan after life changes.

Question 43

How should emergency access be handled?

Accepted Answer

Use password manager emergency contacts with waiting periods, inheritance vaults with inactivity checks, and tell nominees they are named. Balance speed for incapacity against theft risk from immediate shared access.

Question 44

How does inactivity verification work?

Accepted Answer

The service sends periodic check-in requests. Each confirmation resets a timer. After multiple missed checks and a grace period, escalation begins — reminders to you, then beneficiary notification or data release per your settings.

Question 45

What happens if nobody knows the recovery codes?

Accepted Answer

Accounts may be permanently locked. Providers follow fraud-prevention rules and cannot always override 2FA. This is a leading cause of lost crypto and email. Store backup codes in encrypted inheritance storage separate from the authenticator device.

Question 46

How can families avoid losing digital assets?

Accepted Answer

Maintain an updated inventory, use inactive account tools where offered, store credentials in conditional-release vaults, educate heirs on phishing, and review the plan yearly. Treat digital assets with the same seriousness as physical property titles.

Question 47

What is the safest way to prepare digital inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Layer legal documents, encrypted storage, beneficiary-specific assignments, inactivity verification, and provider-native tools like Google Inactive Account Manager. Avoid plain-text password lists and early disclosure of crypto seed phrases.

Question 48

Does digital inheritance replace a will?

Accepted Answer

No. A will establishes legal beneficiaries and fiduciaries. Digital inheritance tools help heirs find and access what exists. Both are needed for a complete plan.

Question 49

When should I start digital inheritance planning?

Accepted Answer

As soon as you have online banking, email, or assets others would need to manage. Starting with a short inventory and one beneficiary takes under an hour and can expand over time.

Question 50

Who needs digital inheritance planning?

Accepted Answer

Anyone with email, financial accounts online, crypto, business logins, or cloud-stored family photos. Single people and couples both benefit — the question is who handles your digital life if you cannot.

Question 51

How do people lose crypto after death?

Accepted Answer

Most losses come from unknown seed phrases, destroyed hardware wallets, exchange accounts locked behind 2FA on a dead phone, and heirs unaware crypto existed. No central bank recovers blockchain keys.

Question 52

How should seed phrases be protected?

Accepted Answer

Never store phrases in email, cloud notes, or wills. Use split custody, metal backup, or encrypted inheritance vaults with delayed release. Avoid giving the full phrase to anyone while you are alive unless you accept immediate custody risk.

Question 53

Should seed phrases be stored in a will?

Accepted Answer

No. Wills may become public record. Use a secure vault referenced by the will. The will should name who receives access instructions, not the phrase itself.

Question 54

What happens to Bitcoin after death?

Accepted Answer

On-chain Bitcoin remains at the same address until spent with a private key. Heirs need the key or seed. Exchange-held Bitcoin follows that platform's deceased-account policy.

Question 55

Can family recover crypto from an exchange?

Accepted Answer

Often yes with death certificates and support processes, but timelines and requirements vary by exchange and country. Document which exchanges you use and store backup codes separately from SMS 2FA.

Question 56

What is the safest crypto inheritance setup?

Accepted Answer

Combine legal beneficiary designation, encrypted documentation of wallet locations, split or delayed seed access, exchange backup codes in a vault, and heir education on scams before transfer.

Question 57

Are NFTs part of a digital estate?

Accepted Answer

NFTs live in wallets like other crypto. Heirs need wallet access. License terms on some platforms may restrict transfer — inventory them and discuss with an attorney if values are significant.

Question 58

How do DeFi positions affect inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Staked or liquidity-pool positions require wallet access to unwind. Document protocols used and warn heirs that rushed transactions can trigger tax events or smart-contract mistakes.

Question 59

Should heirs move crypto immediately after access?

Accepted Answer

Not always hastily. Phishing targets bereaved families. Verify addresses, understand tax implications, and consider professional advice before large transfers.

Question 60

What digital assets have no real transfer value?

Accepted Answer

Many licensed ebooks, music, and app purchases are account-bound by terms of service. Inventory them for closure purposes but do not expect resale or transfer value.

Question 61

How do domain names transfer after death?

Accepted Answer

Domains require registrar login or formal ownership transfer processes. Document registrar, account email, and renewal payment method. Domains can expire if billing stops unnoticed.

Question 62

What about frequent flyer miles and loyalty points?

Accepted Answer

Programs vary — some allow transfer to heirs, others expire on death. Check each program's terms and include account numbers in your inventory.

Question 63

What happens to Gmail when someone dies?

Accepted Answer

If Inactive Account Manager was configured, trusted contacts may receive selected data after inactivity. Otherwise heirs use Google's deceased user request process — outcomes include export, closure, or memorialization, not guaranteed full access.

Question 64

Can Apple iCloud be accessed after death?

Accepted Answer

Apple requires legal documentation for deceased user requests. Access is not automatic for family. Legacy Contact settings for Apple ID can help for supported data — configure in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started

Security & privacy

Beneficiaries & access

Billing & plans

Legal & estate planning

Heartbeat & monitoring

Digital inheritance basics

Crypto & digital assets

Access & security

Planning & mistakes