TL;DR
Write a sealed letter that says what exists, where the backups are and how to recover, and add a printed copy of your guide. Store it somewhere your family can reach and a burglar can’t, such as with a lawyer or notary.
Why this step gets skipped
Nobody enjoys planning for their own death, and it never feels urgent. But a 2-of-3 with seeds in three places is built to be hard to get into, and if your family doesn’t know it exists, they won’t get in at all.
What goes in the letter
- That you own bitcoin, and roughly how much
- Where all three seed backups are. Two are enough, but give them all three in case one place is gone
- Whether there’s a passphrase, and where it is
- Where the descriptor copies are, and that they’re essential
- The recovery steps in plain language, or a reference to the printed guide
- Who can help: someone technical you trust, who doesn’t get access themselves
Where to keep it
- Sealed, on paper, not digital. It’s the only document that lists all locations.
- Somewhere your family will find it but a burglar won’t: with a lawyer or notary, or in a safe deposit box your heirs can open.
- Not in one of your seed boxes.
Add the guide
Put a printed copy of the setup guide in the envelope. Websites disappear; your heirs may need the instructions years from now. The letter says where things are, the guide says what to do with them.
Keep it current
Check the letter during your yearly check. If you move a box or change the setup, update it. The checklist has a line for this.
This isn’t legal advice. How inheritance of crypto works varies from country to country, so talk to a lawyer or notary about the legal side.