How To Include Cryptocurrency in Your Estate Plan

By Debbie Carlson | Originally published in Barron’s

If you own cryptocurrency, you may be sitting on a digital gold mine, but have you thought about how to pass it on to your heirs?

In her article for Barron’s, journalist Debbie Carlson explores why even the most financially savvy people often overlook crypto in their estate plans.

“The biggest risk with crypto isn’t so much someone stealing it or going to the wrong family member,” says estate attorney Laura Cowen. “It’s more just that families don’t know that their loved one owned it.”

That’s the reality for many modern estates — digital assets can be invisible unless they’re clearly documented. Without proper instructions, families may never know crypto exists or how to access it.

Carlson’s article highlights key steps for including crypto in your estate plan:

• Document your holdings clearly: Note what you own, how much, and where each asset is stored.
• Include access details: Private keys, seed phrases, and passwords should be stored securely and retrievable by someone you trust.
• Appoint a digital fiduciary: Designate someone who understands how to help your executor locate and manage digital assets.
• Store crypto securely: Hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor help protect coins from loss or theft.

Including digital assets in your estate plan is now as essential as documenting bank accounts or property. Taking time now to organize this information ensures your loved ones aren’t left searching for answers later.

Read the full article in Barron’s: You Struck It Rich With BitCoin. How to Leave it to your Heirs.