An inheritance folder is not a will. It is the operational manual that sits beside your will — the document an executor opens when they need to know where things are, not who gets them.
Core Sections
Wallet inventory. Each wallet entry should note the type (hardware, paper, multisig), approximate creation date, and current status (active, retired, empty). Do not write recovery phrases in the folder; document their storage location instead.
Custodian contacts. Name, relationship, phone number, and what they hold. If a custodian has moved or changed numbers, the folder is wrong.
Access procedures. Step-by-step instructions for what an executor should do first. This might include contacting a specific attorney, locating a sealed envelope, or calling a multisig co-signer.
Beneficiary pages. Names and contact details for people named in your estate plan, with a note on whether they have been briefed on the folder.
Revision log. Every update gets a date, initials, and brief description. Executors check this first to know whether the folder is current.
What to Leave Out
Recovery phrases, private keys, and exchange passwords do not belong in an inheritance folder. Document where these items are stored and who can access them — not the secrets themselves.
When to Refresh
Any time you add a wallet, retire one, change a custodian, or move sealed materials, the folder needs a revision. Annual reviews catch drift that happens gradually.