Check-in cadence, waiting period, and when access opens.
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.
That is what the waiting period is for. Beneficiaries are not contacted during the waiting period. One check-in cancels pending release and resets your timer. For planned travel or silence, use Away until to pause the check-in clock for a bounded window.
You set a custom schedule. Many people keep the default of every 30 days. Signing in and unlocking your vault counts as a check-in. You can also check in from the dashboard or an email link so release stays paused for beneficiaries.
Yes. Update your check-in interval from the dashboard. Shorter intervals mean more frequent confirmation that you are fine. Longer intervals mean fewer check-ins, with the same waiting-period buffer if you miss one.
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.
Missed check-ins start a waiting period with overdue notices (14 days on Free; 7 to 14 days on Pro; 1 to 14 days on Shield). Check in during the waiting period and release stops. For planned travel, use Away until to pause the waiting period from starting for a bounded window (up to 30 days on Free, 90 on Pro and Shield).
Checking in during the waiting period stops pending release. Your check-in timer resets and beneficiaries do not receive claim access from that missed cycle.
Every plan sends three warnings by default: 7, 3, and 1 days before your check-in deadline, and the same pattern before the waiting period ends. Pro and Shield can customize those timings. When you miss a check-in, an overdue notice still sends as the waiting period starts. Keep your account email current so those messages reach you.