Heritage

PierrePierre
Dec 15, 2025
Dec 15, 2025
Passing on bitcoins in the event of death or incapacity represents a major challenge for any crypto-asset holder. Without a suitable inheritance plan, these assets become irrecoverable for your loved ones.
Heritage provides an elegant answer by implementing a dead-man switch mechanism directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. This open-source wallet enables on-chain succession conditions to be configured: if the owner makes no further transactions for a defined period, pre-designated alternative keys can release the funds.

What is Heritage?

Heritage is a Bitcoin wallet natively integrating an inheritance mechanism via Taproot scripts. Developed under MIT license by Jérémie Rodon, this open-source software guarantees transparency and durability.
Heritage uses Taproot scripts encoded in Bitcoin addresses. Each UTXO integrates two types of spending conditions:
  • Primary path** : The owner can spend his bitcoins at any time with his primary key
  • Alternative paths**: For each designated heir, a script combines its public key with a timelock
Each owner transaction automatically postpones the activation date of the inheritance clauses. In the event of prolonged inactivity (death, incapacity), the conditions are automatically triggered.

Heritage service (optional)

Heritage offers two usage options:
Do it yourself (free): The open-source application alone. You manage everything autonomously with your own node. This option offers built-in backup access, built-in inheritance and exclusive control of your bitcoins. However, you need to create your own alerts (calendar, reminders) so you don't forget to renew your timelocks, and there are no automatic notifications for your heirs.
Use the service (0.05% per year) : The btc-heritage.com service adds features to simplify management:
  • Automatic reminders before your deadlines expire
  • Automatic notifications to heirs to guide them through the recovery process
  • Priority support
  • Simplified descriptor management
Fee: 0.05% of amount managed per year, minimum 0.5 mBTC/year. First year free.
The service remains non-custodial: your private keys never leave your device. Heritage cannot access your funds.

Heritage CLI

For advanced users preferring the terminal, Heritage offers a command-line tool (CLI) for granular control and air-gapped machine operation.
Full CLI documentation is available at btc-heritage.com/heritage-cli. Here you'll find instructions for downloading, connecting to the service, creating wallets (with Ledger or local keys), managing heirs and transactions.
This tutorial focuses on the Desktop application, which is more accessible to most users.

Heritage Desktop

Heritage Desktop is a graphical application with an intuitive interface that guides the user through every step of the configuration process.

Download

Go to btc-heritage.com and click on "Download application".
Choose the version corresponding to your operating system (Linux 64bits or Windows 64bits). Binaries are not digitally signed, which may trigger security warnings.

Installation on Linux

On Linux, the application is distributed in AppImage format. Before you can run it, you need to install the libfuse2 dependency:
sudo apt install libfuse2
Then make the file executable and run it:
chmod +x Heritage-GUI-vX.X.X.AppImage
./Heritage-GUI-vX.X.X.AppImage

First launch

On first launch, the onboarding wizard offers you three choices:
  • Setup an Heritage Wallet**: Create a new wallet with heritage plan
  • Inherit bitcoins**: Recover bitcoins as an heir
  • Explore by myself**: Explore functions without assistance
Select "Setup an Heritage Wallet" to create your first wallet.

Bitcoin network connection

Choose how to connect to the Bitcoin network:
  • Using the Heritage Service**: Managed infrastructure, simpler for heirs
  • Using my own node**: Connect to your own Bitcoin Core or Electrum node
For this tutorial, we're using our own node.

Private key management

Select how to manage your private keys:
  • With a Ledger Hardware Device** : Maximum safety with wallet hardware (recommended)
  • Local storage with password**: Locally stored keys with password protection
  • Restore an existing wallet** : Restore from an existing seed

Node configuration

If you're using your own node, the application guides you through its configuration. Make sure your Bitcoin or Electrum node is :
  • Installed and running
  • Synchronized with Bitcoin network
  • Configured to accept RPC connections (for Bitcoin Core)
Click on "My Bitcoin node is up and running" when your node is ready.

Status panel

Click on "Status" in the top right-hand corner, then "Open Configuration" to access the connection parameters.
Set the URL of your Electrum server (e.g. umbrel.local:50001 if you're using Umbrel).

Creation of wallet

Once the connection has been established, click on "Create Wallet" in the WALLETS tab.
A popup explains the split architecture of Heritage :
  1. Key Provider (Offline): Manages your private keys and signs transactions. Can be a Ledger or a wallet software.
  2. Online Wallet: Handles synchronization with the Bitcoin network, address creation and transaction broadcasting.
Fill in the creation form :
  • Wallet Name**: A unique name to identify your wallet
  • Key Provider**: Choose Local Key Storage for this tutorial
  • New/Restore**: Select "New" to generate a new seed
  • Word Count**: 24 words recommended for maximum security
Enter a strong password and choose options for Online Wallet :
  • Local Node**: Uses your own Electrum or Bitcoin Core node
  • Heritage Service**: Uses the Heritage service (recommended for notification functions)
Click on "Create Wallet" to finalize creation.

Interface from wallet

Your wallet is now created. The interface displays :
  • Balance
  • SEND and RECEIVE buttons
  • Transaction history
  • Heritage configuration history
  • wallet addresses

Creating heirs

Go to the "HEIRS" tab to create your heirs.
The information popup explains:
  • Heirs are Bitcoin public keys associated with individuals
  • Every heir has his own mnemonic phrase
  • The first heir should be a "Backup" for yourself (in case of loss of your main wallet)

Backup heir creation

Click on "Create Heir" and name it "Backup".
The popup explains why a 12-word sentence without passphrase is safe for heirs:
  1. No immediate access: Heir keys cannot access funds until the timelock has expired
  2. Compromise detection: If someone accesses the phrase, you can update the Heritage configuration
  3. Long-term accessibility: A passphrase could be forgotten after many years
Configure the heir :
  • Key Provider** : Local Key Storage
  • New**: Generate a new seed
  • Word Count**: 12 words
Finalize the creation :
  • Heir Type**: Extended Public Key
  • Export to Service**: Optional, enables automatic notification of heirs
The Backup heir is now created:

Saving the heir's mnemonic phrase

Click on the Backup heir and then on "Show Mnemonic" :
**IMPORTANT: Make a note of these 12 words and keep them in a safe place. This is the key to recovering the funds.

Removing seed from the application

Once you've written down the phrase, access the heir parameters (cogwheel icon):
Use "Strip Heir Seed" to remove the private key from the application. Confirm that you have saved the phrase.
This is a security measure: only the public key remains in the application, sufficient to configure inheritance.

Creation of a second heir

Repeat the process to create a second heir (e.g. "Satoshi"). You will now have two heirs:
  • Backup**: Your personal emergency key
  • Satoshi**: A designated heir

Heritage configuration

Return to your wallet and click on the Settings icon:
In the "Heritage Configuration" section, click on "Create":
Set time limits for each heir:
  • Backup**: 180 days (6 months) - Maturity Date: 2026-06-18
  • Satoshi**: 455 days (15 months) - Maturity Date: 2027-03-20
Important: Each heir must have a longer delay than the previous one. The first heir (Backup) will have access to the funds first.
Also configure :
  • Reference Date**: Starting date for calculating lead times
  • Minimum Maturity Delay**: Minimum delay after a transaction (10 days recommended)
Click on "Create" to validate the configuration.
The Heritage configuration is now active:
It displays both heirs with their respective deadlines and expiry dates.

Saving descriptors

Important: Save your wallet descriptors. Without them, even with the mnemonic phrase, fund recovery is impossible.
Click on "Backup Descriptors" :
Save the JSON file containing your Bitcoin descriptors:
This file should be passed on to your heirs, along with their respective mnemonic phrases.

Receive bitcoins

Click on "RECEIVE" to generate a reception address:
Congratulations! Your Heritage Wallet is ready to receive bitcoins. Each generated address automatically incorporates your Heritage conditions.
After receiving a transaction, your balance is updated:
The history displays the transaction and the associated Heritage configuration.

Recovery by an heir

Once the set time has elapsed, the heir can reclaim the funds.

Prerequisites

The heir needs :
  1. His 12-word mnemonic phrase
  2. The original wallet descriptor backup file (JSON)

Creating a Heir Wallet

In the "INHERITANCES" tab, a popup reminds you of these prerequisites:
Please note: Without the descriptor backup file, access to the funds is IMPOSSIBLE, even with the correct mnemonic phrase.
Click on "Create Heir Wallet" :
Please fill in the form:
  • Heir Wallet Name**: A name to identify this heir wallet
  • Key Provider** : Local Key Storage
  • Restore**: Select this option to enter an existing phrase
Enter the 12 words of the heir's mnemonic phrase and configure the Heritage Provider:
  • Heritage Provider**: "Local" to use your own node with the backup file
Load the JSON backup file and click on "Create Heir Wallet" :

Interface Heir Wallet

The Heir Wallet is created. Initially, if the timelock has not yet expired, no inheritance is available:
Once the delay has elapsed and the funds have been synchronized with the Bitcoin network, they appear in the list of inheritances:
The interface displays :
  • Key type and fingerprint
  • Total inheritable funds
  • Current spendable amount (0 sat if timelock has not yet expired)
  • Maturity and expiry dates
When the maturity date is reached, the "Spend" button transfers the bitcoins to a personal wallet.

Best practices

Saving descriptors

wallet descriptors are essential for reconstructing your Heritage addresses. **Without the descriptors, even with your mnemonic phrase, you won't be able to find your funds.

Key security

  • Use a Ledger for the main key if possible
  • Never store heirs' sentences in the same place as your own
  • Spread information across multiple media and locations

Documentation for your loved ones

Write clear instructions explaining each step of the recovery process. Your heirs may not be familiar with Bitcoin at the critical moment.

Alternatives

Other solutions exist to manage the transmission of your bitcoins, including Liana and Bitcoin Keeper. You'll find our tutorials below:
liana
LianaSetting up and using a wallet on Liana
bitcoin-keeper-inheritance
Bitcoin Keeper - Inheritance planPlan your bitcoin transmission with Bitcoin Keeper

Conclusion

Heritage allows you to plan your Bitcoin succession in a sovereign way via the Desktop application. Implementation requires thoughtful consideration of appropriate timeframes and securing secrets. Don't forget to pass on to your heirs:
  • Their 12-word mnemonic phrase
  • The descriptor backup file
  • Recovery instructions

Resources

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This tutorial has been written by Pierre

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PierrePierre
41Tutorials

Passionate about Bitcoin and convinced that education is the key, I wish to share with you the little knowledge I have and thus contribute to the adoption of Bitcoin. Otherwise, I'm a big fan of Pink Floyd, I'm learning to code, and I make memes. Looking forward to meeting you at the next meet-up! I am the creator of the training course BTC 205 - Non-KYC Purchase Solution.

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