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“Who Has Your Crypto Keys?” The Vital Estate Planning Question from a Santa Barbara Estate Lawyer

Santa Barbara estate lawyer

Are you part of the growing number of people in Santa Barbara who invest in cryptocurrency? Then there’s a crucial question you need to ask yourself: “Who has access to my crypto keys?” As any savvy Santa Barbara estate lawyer will tell you, leaving your digital assets to loved ones is more complex than traditional assets. Without the right access information, your digital wealth could be as good as lost. 

The Keys to Your Digital Treasure

Cryptocurrency is unique because it operates independently of a central bank and relies on cryptography for security. That’s where your keys come in. They are the critical piece of information required to access and control your cryptocurrency. Without them, your digital assets are locked away, potentially forever.

Including Crypto in Your Estate Plan

When you’re making an estate plan, you think about your house, your savings, and maybe even family heirlooms. But in today’s digital age, your crypto needs to be part of that plan. An estate lawyer in Santa Barbara can help you navigate how to securely include your crypto keys in your estate plan. 

Communicating Access Details

It’s not enough to just mention your crypto assets in your will or trust. You need to ensure that your heirs know how to find and use your crypto keys. This isn’t as simple as handing over a password. You’ll need to consider the best way to pass on this sensitive information securely.

Your Santa Barbara estate lawyer can guide you through the process of securing your digital legacy. This might involve creating a detailed plan for how your keys should be stored and shared, or setting up a digital wallet that your heirs can access when the time comes.

The Mantra: “Not Your Keys, Not Your Crypto”

This popular saying in the crypto community is a stark reminder that without the keys, your cryptocurrency might as well not exist. And this is just as true for your heirs. If you don’t plan for the transfer of your keys, your digital assets could be inaccessible to those you’ve left them to.

Getting Help

As you manage your digital investments, don’t forget to plan for their future. If you’re ready to secure your cryptocurrency for your heirs, contact a Santa Barbara estate lawyer. Give us a call at 805-946-1550 and mention this blog to start the conversation. Remember, in the world of crypto, your keys are everything. Pass them on with care!

Author Bio

Julianna Malis is the Founder and Managing Partner of Santa Barbara Estate Planning & Elder Law, a Santa Barbara estate planning law firm she founded in 2014. With more than 25 years of experience practicing law, she has dedicated her career to representing clients in a wide range of legal matters, including estate planning, elder law, Medicaid and Medicare planning, probate, and other estate planning areas.

Julianna received her Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific — McGeorge School of Law and is a member of the California State Bar Association.

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