Digital Legacy Configuration

Step-by-step guide to configuring your Digital Legacy vault.

Initial Setup

Enable Digital Legacy

From Dashboard:

Log in to Torvus Security
Click Create Vault
Select Digital Legacy Vault template
Or: Create standard vault and enable Digital Legacy features in settings

Account Requirements:

Pro plan or higher (Digital Legacy not available on Free plan)
Verified email address
Two-factor authentication enabled (required for security)

Vault Configuration

Basic Information

Vault Name:

Recommended: "Digital Legacy - [Your Full Name]"
Example: "Digital Legacy - John Michael Smith"

Why specific name: If you have multiple vaults, beneficiaries need to identify the correct one easily.

Description (optional):

"This vault contains my legal documents, financial information,
account access instructions, and personal messages for my family
to access after my death."

Tags:

estate-planning
digital-legacy
family

Security Settings

Encryption:

✅ AES-256 encryption (enabled by default, cannot be disabled)
☐ Additional encryption (optional, for ultra-sensitive files)
- Requires separate password (store in sealed envelope or with attorney)
- Use for: Full account numbers, crypto seeds, master passwords

Access Controls:

✅ Two-factor authentication required (your account)
✅ Beneficiary verification required (government ID + death certificate)
☐ Additional beneficiary verification (optional, see below)

Additional Verification Options:

Multi-beneficiary approval: Require 2 of 3 beneficiaries to confirm release
Attorney verification: Estate attorney must confirm death before release
Extended grace period: 30-90 days instead of 7-14 days
Notarized death certificate: Require notarized copy (not just certified)

When to use additional verification:

High-value estates ($1M+)
Complex family situations (risk of fraud or disputes)
High-profile individuals (risk of fake death claims)
Significant cryptocurrency holdings

Beneficiary Configuration

Adding Beneficiaries

Navigate to Beneficiaries:

Open Digital Legacy vault
Click Beneficiaries tab
Click Add Beneficiary

Beneficiary Information

Required Fields:

Full Legal Name:

John Robert Smith Jr.

Must match government-issued ID (for verification)
Middle name recommended (disambiguation)

Relationship:

Spouse/Partner
Child
Parent
Sibling
Executor/Administrator
Attorney
Friend
Other

Email Address:

john.smith@email.com

Primary contact method for notifications
Must be current and actively monitored
Can be updated anytime

Phone Number (optional but recommended):

+1-555-0100

Backup contact method
Used for SMS notifications (if configured)
International format recommended

Mailing Address (optional):

123 Main Street
Apartment 4B
New York, NY 10001
United States

Required if physical materials will be mailed
Used for verification purposes

Beneficiary Role and Permissions

Primary Beneficiary:

Full access to all materials
Can initiate release process
Receives all notifications
Typical: Spouse, executor, or closest family member

Secondary Beneficiary:

Full access after primary beneficiary notified (or if primary unavailable)
Can confirm/approve release (if multi-beneficiary approval enabled)
Receives subset of notifications

Limited Beneficiary:

Access to specific folders only (e.g., personal letters, not financial details)
Use case: Minor children (receive letters, not financial/legal complexity)

Emergency Contact:

Notified of release but does NOT receive materials
Use case: Close friend who can help coordinate but shouldn't access sensitive info

Backup Beneficiary:

Only receives materials if primary/secondary beneficiaries are unreachable
Final failsafe to ensure materials don't stay locked forever

Beneficiary Access Configuration

For Each Beneficiary:

Access Level:

⚪ Full Access: All folders and materials
⚪ Custom Access: Select specific folders
- Example: Children get "Personal Messages" folder only, spouse gets everything

Access Timing:

⚪ Immediate (after grace period ends)
⚪ Delayed (7/30/60/90 days after initial release)
- Use case: Give spouse time to process before children receive materials
⚪ Staged (some folders immediate, others delayed)

Notification Preferences:

☑ Email notifications (recommended)
☑ SMS notifications (optional, highly recommended for primary beneficiaries)
☐ Phone call (Enterprise only, for emergency situations)
☐ Physical mail (certified letter, if email/phone unavailable)

Download Permissions:

☑ Can download materials (recommended)
☐ View only (cannot download, can only view in-app)
- Use case: Extremely sensitive materials, want to control access
☐ Expires after 90 days (materials auto-delete after access period)
- Use case: Temporary access for specific purpose

Verification Requirements

Standard Verification (default):

Death certificate (certified copy)
Beneficiary government-issued ID
Email verification (code sent to registered email)

Enhanced Verification (optional):

Death certificate (notarized copy)
Beneficiary government-issued ID (front + back)
Secondary ID (passport, birth certificate, etc.)
Selfie holding ID (liveness check)
Video call verification (with Torvus support, Enterprise only)

Multi-Beneficiary Approval (optional):

Require 2 of 3 beneficiaries to approve release
Prevents single rogue beneficiary from fraudulent access
All beneficiaries notified; 2 must confirm before release proceeds

Attorney Verification (optional):

Estate attorney must confirm death before release
Attorney receives notification, must log in and approve
Adds extra layer of legitimacy
Recommended for complex estates

Beneficiary Notification Settings

Initial Notification (when added as beneficiary):

☑ Notify now: Beneficiary immediately informed they're listed
- Pros: They know what to expect; can prepare
- Cons: May spoil surprise if personal messages are emotional
☐ Notify later: Beneficiary only notified when release is initiated
- Pros: Surprise preserved; no premature knowledge
- Cons: They may be confused or unprepared when notified

Recommended: Notify spouse/executor immediately; delay notification for children/others if desired.

Grace Period Notifications (during countdown to release):

☑ Daily updates to beneficiaries during grace period
☑ Countdown reminders (7 days left, 3 days left, 1 day left, 6 hours left)
Use case: Gives beneficiaries time to prepare; creates urgency to contest if fraud suspected

Release Notification (when materials are released):

☑ Immediate notification to all beneficiaries
☑ Access instructions included in email
☑ Summary of contents (folder list, file count)

Release Policy Configuration

Release Triggers

Primary Trigger (choose one or both):

Option 1: Death Verification (recommended):

Release materials when:
✅ Beneficiary submits death certificate (certified copy)
✅ Beneficiary identity verified (government ID)
✅ Grace period expires (7-30 days, configurable)

Pros:

Controlled release (requires action by beneficiary)
High confidence (death certificate is official proof)
Low risk of false positive

Cons:

Requires beneficiary to know about Digital Legacy and initiate
Delayed if beneficiary doesn't act quickly
Could fail if beneficiary doesn't know how to access

Option 2: Time-Based Backup (optional but recommended):

Release materials if:
✅ No check-in for 90-180 days (configurable)
AND
✅ Multiple verification attempts with beneficiaries (emails sent)
AND
✅ Extended grace period (30-60 days, configurable)

Pros:

Automatic failsafe (materials eventually released even if beneficiary doesn't initiate)
Good for unexpected deaths (no one knows to initiate release)

Cons:

Risk of false positive (if you forget to check in while traveling, in hospital, etc.)
Longer delay (90-180 days no check-in + 30-60 day grace period = 4-8 months total)

Option 3: Hybrid (recommended for most users):

Release materials when:
✅ Beneficiary submits death certificate (primary method)
OR
✅ No check-in for 180 days + extended grace period (backup method)

Why hybrid is best: Combines speed of death verification with safety net of time-based backup.

Grace Period Configuration

What is grace period? After release trigger (death certificate submitted OR check-in deadline passed), materials are NOT immediately released. Instead:

Grace period begins (7-90 days configurable)
All beneficiaries and emergency contacts notified
You (account owner) notified via all channels (email, SMS, phone)
If you respond during grace period: Release canceled (false alarm)
If no response by end of grace period: Materials released

Purpose: Prevent false positives (fake death certificate, forgotten check-in, fraud, etc.)

Grace Period Length:

Short (7 days):

Use for: Terminally ill, high-risk situations, elderly
Pros: Fast release to beneficiaries in true emergency
Cons: Less time to detect fraud; less time to respond if false alarm

Medium (14-30 days) (recommended):

Use for: Most users, standard estate planning
Pros: Balance of speed and security
Cons: 2-4 week delay may feel long to grieving beneficiaries

Long (60-90 days):

Use for: Young/healthy individuals, high-value estates, complex families
Pros: Maximum fraud protection; plenty of time to detect false claims
Cons: Long delay; may be frustrating for legitimate beneficiaries

Recommended:

Under 60 years old, healthy: 30 days
Over 60 years old: 14 days
Terminally ill: 7 days
High-value estate: 30-60 days

Grace Period Actions

Notifications During Grace Period:

To You (account owner):

Subject: [URGENT] Digital Legacy Release Initiated

Your Digital Legacy vault is set to be released in 14 days.

If you're alive and this is a false alarm, CHECK IN IMMEDIATELY:
[Check In Now Button]

If you do not respond, materials will be released to:
- Jane Smith (spouse@email.com)
- Robert Smith (son@email.com)
- Sarah Johnson (executor@email.com)

Reason for release: Death certificate submitted by Jane Smith

If this is fraudulent, contact support@torvussecurity.com
or call 1-800-XXX-XXXX immediately.

To Beneficiaries:

Subject: Digital Legacy Release in Progress

[Deceased Name]'s Digital Legacy vault is set to be released in 14 days.

You are listed as a beneficiary and will receive access to:
- Legal documents
- Financial information
- Account access instructions
- Personal messages

Release date: April 15, 2025

You will receive access instructions on the release date.

If you believe this release is fraudulent (person is not deceased),
contact support@torvussecurity.com immediately.

To Emergency Contacts:

Subject: [URGENT] [Your Name] Digital Legacy Release Initiated

This is an urgent notification about [Your Name]'s Digital Legacy vault.

A death certificate was submitted and the vault is set to be released
in 14 days.

If [Your Name] is alive, please have them check in immediately or
contact support@torvussecurity.com.

This email is FYI only - you will not receive access to vault contents.

Check-in Configuration (Time-Based Trigger Only)

If using time-based backup release:

Check-in Frequency:

⚪ 30 days (not recommended, too frequent)
⚪ 60 days
⚪ 90 days (recommended)
⚪ 120 days
⚪ 180 days (recommended for young/healthy users)

Check-in Methods:

☑ Manual: Click "Check In" button in app (requires login)
☑ Automatic: Automatically check in when you log in to Torvus
☐ Email link: Click link in reminder email (less secure, not recommended)

Check-in Reminders:

☑ 7 days before deadline
☑ 3 days before deadline
☑ 1 day before deadline
☑ 12 hours before deadline
☑ 6 hours before deadline (final warning)

Reminder Channels:

☑ Email (primary)
☑ SMS (highly recommended)
☑ Push notification (if mobile app installed)
☐ Phone call (Enterprise only, final reminder)

Staged Release (Advanced)

Release materials in stages instead of all at once:

Example Configuration:

Stage 1 (Immediate after grace period):
- 00_START_HERE folder (instructions, contacts)
- 01_Legal folder (will, trust, POA)
- 02_Financial folder (accounts, insurance)
- 05_Personal/Letters folder (personal messages)

Stage 2 (+30 days after Stage 1):
- 04_Accounts folder (passwords, account access)
- Reason: Give executor time to initiate estate process before
  beneficiaries change passwords

Stage 3 (+90 days after Stage 1):
- 05_Personal/Videos folder (video messages)
- Reason: Give family time to grieve before emotional videos

When to use:

Complex estates (executor needs time before others get full access)
Emotional content (delay personal videos until family ready)
Security concerns (delay account access until estate initiated)

File Organization Templates

Folder Structure Template

Basic Template (recommended for most users):

📁 00_START_HERE
  📄 README.txt
  📄 IMMEDIATE_ACTIONS.txt
  📄 CONTACT_LIST.txt

📁 01_Legal
📁 02_Financial
📁 03_Property
📁 04_Accounts
📁 05_Personal
📁 06_Estate_Settlement

Advanced Template (for complex estates):

📁 00_START_HERE
  📄 README.txt
  📄 IMMEDIATE_ACTIONS.txt
  📄 CONTACT_LIST.txt
  📄 ESTATE_OVERVIEW.pdf
  📄 TIMELINE.pdf

📁 01_Legal
  📁 01a_Will_and_Trust
  📁 01b_Power_of_Attorney
  📁 01c_Healthcare_Directives
  📁 01d_Beneficiary_Designations
  📁 01e_Supporting_Documents

📁 02_Financial
  📁 02a_Bank_Accounts
  📁 02b_Investments
  📁 02c_Retirement_Accounts
  📁 02d_Insurance
  📁 02e_Debts
  📁 02f_Advisor_Contacts

📁 03_Property
  📁 03a_Real_Estate
  📁 03b_Vehicles
  📁 03c_Valuables
  📁 03d_Safe_Deposit_Box

📁 04_Accounts
  📁 04a_Password_Manager
  📁 04b_Email_and_Cloud
  📁 04c_Financial_Online
  📁 04d_Social_Media
  📁 04e_Cryptocurrency
  📁 04f_Digital_Assets

📁 05_Personal
  📁 05a_Letters
  📁 05b_Videos
  📁 05c_Funeral_Wishes
  📁 05d_Memorial_Instructions
  📁 05e_Pet_Care

📁 06_Business (if applicable)
  📁 06a_Business_Documents
  📁 06b_Succession_Plan
  📁 06c_Partner_Contacts
  📁 06d_Client_Information

📁 07_Estate_Settlement
  📁 07a_Checklist
  📁 07b_Timeline
  📁 07c_State_Specific_Info
  📁 07d_Resources

Creating Folder Structure

Manual Creation:

Open Digital Legacy vault
Click New Folder
Name folder (use template above)
Repeat for all folders
Organize into hierarchy (drag-and-drop)

From Template (Enterprise feature):

Click Import Template
Choose template: Basic, Advanced, or Custom
Folder structure created automatically
Customize as needed

Key Documents Creation

README Template

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
DIGITAL LEGACY VAULT - [YOUR FULL NAME]
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

If you're reading this, I have passed away. I'm sorry for your loss,
and I hope this vault helps ease the burden during this difficult time.

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
WHAT THIS VAULT CONTAINS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

This Digital Legacy vault contains everything you need to settle my
estate and access my accounts and assets:

1. Legal Documents (will, trust, power of attorney, healthcare directives)
2. Financial Information (bank accounts, investments, insurance, debts)
3. Property Documents (real estate, vehicles, valuables)
4. Account Access Information (passwords, recovery codes, online accounts)
5. Personal Messages (letters and videos to family)
6. Instructions (funeral wishes, estate settlement guide, contacts)

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
START HERE
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

READ THESE FIRST (in order):

1. IMMEDIATE_ACTIONS.txt
   ➜ What to do in the first 48 hours, week, and month

2. CONTACT_LIST.txt
   ➜ Important people to contact (attorney, financial advisor, etc.)

3. 01_Legal folder
   ➜ My will and trust documents (start estate process)

4. 02_Financial folder
   ➜ Financial accounts and insurance policies

5. 06_Estate_Settlement folder
   ➜ Step-by-step guide to settling the estate

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
IMPORTANT CONTACTS (CALL THESE PEOPLE FIRST)
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Estate Attorney: John Smith, Esq.
Phone: +1-555-0100
Email: john.smith@lawfirm.com
Role: Executor of estate; will guide you through legal process

Financial Advisor: Sarah Johnson, CFP
Phone: +1-555-0200
Email: sarah.j@wealthmgmt.com
Role: Manages investments; can help with account access

Accountant: Michael Chen, CPA
Phone: +1-555-0300
Email: mchen@chenaccounting.com
Role: Tax filings; estate accounting

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
PERSONAL MESSAGES
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

I've written personal letters and recorded videos for each of you.
These are in the 05_Personal folder.

Read them when you're ready - there's no rush.

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
NEED HELP?
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Torvus Support (Digital Legacy assistance):
Email: support@torvussecurity.com
Phone: 1-800-XXX-XXXX
Available 24/7

Estate Settlement Support:
See 06_Estate_Settlement folder for guides and resources

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Take your time. Ask for help. You don't have to do this alone.

With love,
[Your Name]

Last Updated: March 15, 2025

IMMEDIATE_ACTIONS Template

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS CHECKLIST
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

This checklist tells you what to do first. Work through this step-by-step.
Don't feel overwhelmed - you don't have to do everything at once.

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
FIRST 48 HOURS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Priority 1: Legal and Family

[ ] Contact estate attorney: John Smith (+1-555-0100)
    ➜ He's expecting your call and knows what to do
    ➜ He has original will and will guide you through process

[ ] Notify immediate family members
    ➜ Contact list in CONTACT_LIST.txt

[ ] Obtain death certificates (10-15 certified copies)
    ➜ Funeral home can help with this
    ➜ You'll need these for insurance, banks, etc.

[ ] Contact funeral home (if not already done)
    ➜ My wishes: See 05_Personal/Funeral_Wishes.txt

Priority 2: Financial (Immediate)

[ ] Notify life insurance company
    ➜ See 02_Financial/Insurance folder for policy details
    ➜ Policy #XYZ123 with Nationwide: $250,000 benefit

[ ] Locate any immediate cash needs
    ➜ Joint checking account has $10K for immediate expenses
    ➜ See 02_Financial/Bank_Accounts folder

[ ] Secure the home and valuables
    ➜ Change locks if needed
    ➜ Notify homeowners insurance
    ➜ Secure jewelry, important documents

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
FIRST WEEK
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Legal Process

[ ] Meet with estate attorney (John Smith)
    ➜ Bring death certificate and will
    ➜ He'll start probate process (if needed)
    ➜ He'll guide you through all legal steps

[ ] File will with probate court (if required)
    ➜ Attorney will handle this
    ➜ Varies by state - he knows the process

Financial Notifications

[ ] Notify Social Security Administration
    ➜ Call 1-800-772-1213
    ➜ Stop benefits payments
    ➜ Survivor benefits may be available (ask)

[ ] Notify banks and credit card companies
    ➜ See 02_Financial folder for account list
    ➜ Bring death certificate
    ➜ Close or transfer accounts (attorney will advise)

[ ] Notify investment and retirement accounts
    ➜ See 02_Financial/Investments folder
    ➜ Beneficiaries can claim accounts directly (no probate)
    ➜ Contact Sarah Johnson (financial advisor) for help

[ ] Contact employer (if applicable)
    ➜ Final paycheck
    ➜ Retirement account (401k)
    ➜ Life insurance through work
    ➜ Unused vacation/PTO payout

Household

[ ] Notify utility companies
    ➜ Electric, gas, water, internet, phone
    ➜ Transfer to your name or maintain service
    ➜ See 04_Accounts/Utility_Accounts.txt

[ ] Notify post office
    ➜ Forward mail to your address (or executor's address)

[ ] Secure vehicles
    ➜ Transfer title (DMV process, varies by state)
    ➜ Transfer insurance to your name
    ➜ See 03_Property/Vehicles folder

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
FIRST MONTH
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Estate Settlement

[ ] Inventory all assets
    ➜ Use 02_Financial and 03_Property folders as guide
    ➜ Attorney will need complete list for probate

[ ] Get property appraisals (if needed)
    ➜ Home appraisal
    ➜ Vehicle appraisals
    ➜ Valuables (jewelry, art, collectibles)

[ ] Open estate bank account (if probate required)
    ➜ Attorney will advise
    ➜ Deposit estate funds here
    ➜ Pay estate expenses from this account

[ ] Notify creditors
    ➜ See 02_Financial/Debts folder for list
    ➜ Published notice in newspaper (attorney will handle)

[ ] File insurance claims
    ➜ Life insurance
    ➜ Homeowners/auto (if needed)
    ➜ See 02_Financial/Insurance folder

Accounts and Digital Assets

[ ] Access password manager
    ➜ See 04_Accounts/Password_Manager folder
    ➜ Master password location: [See separate instructions]
    ➜ Contains passwords for all online accounts

[ ] Notify email providers
    ➜ See 04_Accounts/Email_and_Cloud folder
    ➜ Options: Close account, memorialize, export data

[ ] Handle social media accounts
    ➜ See 04_Accounts/Social_Media folder
    ➜ Facebook: Memorialize (as per my wishes)
    ➜ Instagram: Delete
    ➜ LinkedIn: Close after 6 months

[ ] Cancel subscriptions
    ➜ Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
    ➜ Magazines and newspapers
    ➜ Memberships (gym, clubs, etc.)

Personal

[ ] Plan memorial service
    ➜ See 05_Personal/Funeral_Wishes.txt for my preferences
    ➜ I want celebration of life, not somber funeral
    ➜ Budget: $5K-$7K reasonable

[ ] Notify extended family and friends
    ➜ See CONTACT_LIST.txt for important people

[ ] Read personal messages (when ready)
    ➜ 05_Personal/Letters folder
    ➜ 05_Personal/Videos folder
    ➜ No rush - read/watch when you're ready

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
ONGOING (FIRST 3-12 MONTHS)
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

[ ] File final tax return (with accountant)
    ➜ Due April 15 of following year
    ➜ Contact Michael Chen (accountant): +1-555-0300

[ ] File estate tax return (if required)
    ➜ Only if estate over $13.6M (2025 threshold)
    ➜ Attorney and accountant will advise

[ ] Distribute assets to beneficiaries
    ➜ After probate complete (6-12 months typically)
    ➜ Follow will instructions
    ➜ Attorney will guide distribution

[ ] Close estate
    ➜ Final accounting
    ➜ Court approval (if probate)
    ➜ Attorney handles this

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
RESOURCES
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Detailed Guide: See 06_Estate_Settlement folder

Torvus Support: support@torvussecurity.com, 1-800-XXX-XXXX

Estate Attorney: John Smith, +1-555-0100

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Remember: This is a marathon, not a sprint. Take breaks.
Ask for help. You're doing great.

Last Updated: March 15, 2025

CONTACT_LIST Template

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
KEY CONTACTS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
LEGAL & FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Estate Attorney
Name: John Smith, Esq.
Firm: Smith & Associates Law
Phone: +1-555-0100
Email: john.smith@lawfirm.com
Address: 123 Legal St, Suite 100, New York, NY 10001
Role: Executor of estate; primary legal contact
Notes: He has original will and all legal documents

Financial Advisor
Name: Sarah Johnson, CFP
Company: Wealth Management Group
Phone: +1-555-0200
Email: sarah.j@wealthmgmt.com
Role: Manages investment accounts
Notes: Accounts with Fidelity and Vanguard

Accountant
Name: Michael Chen, CPA
Firm: Chen & Associates
Phone: +1-555-0300
Email: mchen@chenaccounting.com
Role: Tax preparation and estate accounting
Notes: Has past tax returns and financial records

Insurance Agent
Name: Lisa Brown
Company: Nationwide Insurance
Phone: +1-555-0400
Email: lisa.brown@nationwide.com
Role: Life, home, and auto insurance
Notes: Life insurance policy #XYZ123 ($250K benefit)

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
FAMILY & CLOSE FRIENDS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

[Include close family members, emergency contacts, etc.]

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
EMPLOYER & COLLEAGUES
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

[If applicable]

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
SERVICE PROVIDERS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Primary Care Physician: Dr. Emily Rodriguez (+1-555-0500)
Dentist: Dr. James Park (+1-555-0600)
Home Security: ADT Security (+1-555-0700)
Lawn Care: GreenScape Landscaping (+1-555-0800)

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
GOVERNMENT & INSTITUTIONS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213
IRS: 1-800-829-1040
State DMV: [Your state DMV number]
County Clerk (for death certificate): +1-555-0900

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Last Updated: March 15, 2025

Testing Your Configuration

Test Release Feature

Purpose: Verify your configuration works before you actually need it.

What It Does:

Sends mock release notifications to beneficiaries
Does NOT release actual materials
Verifies contact information is correct
Tests grace period notification flow
Allows beneficiaries to see what to expect

How to Test:

Open Digital Legacy vault
Settings → Test Release
Choose: Full test (all notifications) or Beneficiary-only test
Click Start Test
System sends mock notifications
Review test results (which emails delivered, which bounced)

When to Test:

After initial setup (verify everything works)
Annually (confirm contact info still current)
After major changes (new beneficiaries, changed policies)

Review Checklist

Before Finalizing Configuration:

Configuration Review:

Vault name is clear and specific
All beneficiaries added with correct contact information
Beneficiary roles and permissions configured appropriately
Release policy chosen (death verification, time-based, or hybrid)
Grace period length appropriate for your situation
Check-in frequency set (if using time-based release)
Verification requirements configured (standard or enhanced)

Content Review:

All folders created and organized logically
README.txt written and clear
IMMEDIATE_ACTIONS.txt comprehensive and actionable
CONTACT_LIST.txt complete and current
All legal documents uploaded (will, trust, POA, directives)
All financial information current and complete
Account access information included (password manager, recovery codes)
Personal messages written (letters, videos)
Funeral/memorial wishes documented

Security Review:

Two-factor authentication enabled on your account
Highly sensitive files additionally encrypted (if needed)
Master password stored securely (sealed envelope or with attorney)
Metadata stripped from sensitive files
Beneficiary verification requirements adequate

Testing:

Test release completed successfully
All beneficiaries received test notification
Beneficiaries understand what Digital Legacy is and what to expect
Emergency contacts configured and tested

Maintenance Schedule

Quarterly (Every 3 Months)

Check in (if using time-based release)
Verify beneficiary contact information still current
Review notifications settings (any email changes?)

Annually (Every Year)

After Major Life Events

Update Digital Legacy vault after:

Marriage or divorce
Birth or adoption of child
Death of beneficiary
Purchase or sale of major asset (home, business, etc.)
Significant financial change (inheritance, windfall, major loss)
Move to new state (estate laws vary by state)
Health diagnosis (terminal illness, serious condition)
Retirement

FAQ

How do I change my beneficiaries?

Open Digital Legacy vault → Beneficiaries tab
Add New Beneficiary or Edit/Remove existing
Changes take effect immediately

Can beneficiaries see that they're listed?

Only if you choose "Notify now" when adding them. Otherwise, they're notified only when release is initiated.

Can I change my release policy after setup?

Yes. Settings → Release Policy → Edit. Changes take effect immediately. If check-in deadline changes, timer resets.

What if I move to a new state?

Review estate documents with attorney (estate laws vary by state). Update address in vault. Update attorney/CPA if they're in old state.

Do I need to update my Digital Legacy when I update my will?

Yes. Upload new will to vault and update any affected information (beneficiaries, executor, etc.). Update date in README.

Can I have multiple Digital Legacy vaults?

Yes, but generally not recommended (creates confusion). Better: One comprehensive Digital Legacy vault with staged release or role-based access for different beneficiaries.

Exception: Separate vault for business vs personal (if you're business owner).

Digital Legacy Overview: What is Digital Legacy
Crypto Asset Management: Cryptocurrency inheritance
Vault Settings: General vault configuration
Release Policies: Understanding release conditions

Last Updated: October 8, 2025

Initial Setup​

Enable Digital Legacy​

Vault Configuration​

Basic Information​

Security Settings​

Beneficiary Configuration​

Adding Beneficiaries​

Beneficiary Information​

Beneficiary Role and Permissions​

Beneficiary Access Configuration​

Verification Requirements​

Beneficiary Notification Settings​

Release Policy Configuration​

Release Triggers​

Grace Period Configuration​

Grace Period Actions​

Check-in Configuration (Time-Based Trigger Only)​

Staged Release (Advanced)​

File Organization Templates​

Folder Structure Template​

Creating Folder Structure​

Key Documents Creation​

README Template​

IMMEDIATE_ACTIONS Template​

CONTACT_LIST Template​

Testing Your Configuration​

Test Release Feature​

Review Checklist​

Maintenance Schedule​

Quarterly (Every 3 Months)​

Annually (Every Year)​

After Major Life Events​

FAQ​

How do I change my beneficiaries?​

Can beneficiaries see that they're listed?​

Can I change my release policy after setup?​

What if I move to a new state?​

Do I need to update my Digital Legacy when I update my will?​

Can I have multiple Digital Legacy vaults?​

Related Guides​