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Yes. Check-ins and the waiting period are dead man's switch mechanics for docs, passwords, and files named contacts claim after your rules are met. Your live vault uses end-to-end encryption, so HeirVault stores ciphertext it cannot read. See Alternatives for other tools, or /help/check-ins for the walkthrough.

HeirVault does not detect death or contact authorities. It detects missed check-ins on the schedule you set. Miss one and a waiting period starts with email notices; one check-in stops release. Only after that period ends without a check-in can beneficiaries claim what you designated. See /help/check-ins.

If something happens and you miss check-ins past the waiting period (14 days on Free; 7 to 14 on Pro; 1 to 14 on Shield), they can claim what you set aside. Until then, designated content stays protected by end-to-end encryption.

When release starts, they get a unique claim link by email and create or sign in to an account. Depending on delivery mode, HeirVault assists with the handoff key, they use an enrolled account key, or they enter a beneficiary password you shared. Contents decrypt in their browser.

No. HeirVault does not draft wills, create trusts, or give legal advice. You can store encrypted copies of a will, insurance policies, and other documents you already have, plus instructions, for contacts you name. See the Alternatives page for how we differ from will and estate apps.

Your live vault is protected by end-to-end, zero-knowledge encryption. It encrypts in your browser before upload, so HeirVault cannot decrypt it. HeirVault-assisted delivery stores a protected key for that beneficiary handoff only and transfers it after claim. That means assisted handoffs are not end-to-end to the beneficiary alone. Direct-account and owner-shared delivery keep the handoff key off HeirVault servers.

Create an account, set one password for sign-in and vault unlock, save your emergency kit offline, then leave docs, document copies, or files and name who should receive them. Check in on your schedule so nothing opens until your rules say otherwise.

Yes. HeirVault uses one password to sign you in (via OPAQUE, without sending the cleartext) and to unlock vault encryption on your device. Compatible passkeys can also unlock the vault. Email codes sign you into the account only and never unlock the vault. If you lose the password and your emergency kit, those contents cannot be recovered by us.

Add contacts (and optional groups) on the Contacts page. Mark each contact as a beneficiary, a witness, or both. Groups are for beneficiaries only. Assign beneficiaries on each file for who should receive it after release. You can also assign contacts on the Vault page or a folder for vault-wide or folder-level defaults. Each beneficiary opens only their handoff using the delivery mode you chose.