Frequently asked
questions.

Unlike traditional financial accounts, digital assets are controlled by private keys rather than institutions. If access credentials are missing or improperly documented, heirs may be permanently unable to access funds — regardless of legal entitlement.

• Undocumented wallet locations
• Lost seed phrases or private keys
• Exchange account access barriers
• Incomplete or missing transaction records

In many cases, assets exist but require technical investigation to identify and document properly.

Lost Bitcoin cannot always be recovered. If private keys are permanently lost with no backup, the funds may be permanently inaccessible — there is no institution or court that can override this.

However, many estate situations involve partial records, exchange accounts, or on-chain transaction history that allow for structured analysis. The goal is to determine what exists, what is accessible, and what documentation can be prepared — even when full recovery is not possible. Each case requires individual evaluation. For a deeper look at what recovery actually involves, see How to Recover Cryptocurrency from a Deceased Estate.

In many situations, yes — but only after compliance requirements are satisfied. Exchanges typically require proof of death, estate authority documentation such as Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, and identity verification of the estate representative.

Each platform has its own internal process and timeframe. Assets held in self-custody wallets are separate and generally require access to the corresponding private keys.

Bitcoin ownership is determined by control of private keys rather than records held by financial institutions. Identifying digital assets in an estate may require reviewing multiple sources of information.

• Exchange account records
• Known wallet addresses
• Transaction history
• Hardware wallets or seed phrase backups
• Email records associated with exchanges or wallet software

When a wallet address or transaction record is available, blockchain data can sometimes confirm whether funds exist and whether they remain associated with that address.

Engagements begin with a review of available documentation. This may include exchange accounts, wallet addresses, transaction records, hardware wallets, and email records related to exchanges or wallet software.

Even limited information can provide useful starting points for analysis. An initial assessment helps determine the scope and complexity of the engagement before any formal work begins.

Once assets are located or confirmed, structured documentation is prepared to assist attorneys and administrators with next steps. This can include blockchain transaction records, wallet identification, exchange coordination where applicable, and formal reporting suitable for estate records and court use.

A.W. Block does not take custody of client assets at any point in the engagement.

Yes. A.W. Block works directly alongside estate attorneys and administrators throughout the engagement — assisting with digital asset identification, technical clarification, and documentation related to cryptocurrency holdings during probate proceedings.

Timeframes vary depending on the information available and the complexity of the estate. Cases involving well-documented exchange accounts may progress relatively quickly. Investigations involving limited documentation, unknown wallet structures, or on-chain tracing requirements may require more extensive review.

An initial assessment helps establish realistic expectations before the engagement formally begins.

The more documentation available, the more efficiently an engagement can proceed. Useful information includes:

• Exchange account records or associated email addresses
• Known wallet addresses
• Hardware wallet devices
• Seed phrase backups
• Transaction histories
• Any written notes or instructions left by the decedent

Even partial documentation can provide important leads. If you are unsure what is available, an initial consultation can help identify what to look for.

No. A.W. Block focuses on technical evaluation, digital asset identification, custody education, and structured documentation. All financial decisions should be made with appropriately licensed advisors.

Bitcoin is not easy to find in an estate because it does not appear in traditional financial records, brokerage statements, or bank accounts. Without documentation or wallet information, identifying digital assets requires technical investigation.

In many cases, assets are undocumented rather than missing — they exist on-chain but have not been identified within the estate record. For a full breakdown of why this happens, read What Happens to Bitcoin When Someone Dies.

Bitcoin is not anonymous and is not impossible to trace. Every transaction is permanently recorded on a public blockchain that anyone can query.

While wallet ownership is not automatically known, on-chain transaction activity can be analyzed to identify asset movement, exchange interactions, and related wallet addresses. This analysis is valuable for estate documentation even when direct wallet access is not available. Learn more about how Bitcoin's public ledger works in practice: What Happens to Bitcoin When Someone Dies.

No — A.W. Block never holds or controls client Bitcoin. The firm does not take custody of funds and does not access private keys under any circumstances.

Every engagement is limited to technical evaluation, documentation, and advisory support. Control of assets remains with the estate and its authorized representatives at all times.

Consultation requests can be submitted through the Contact page. An initial discussion helps determine whether the situation falls within the scope of A.W. Block's services and what the appropriate next steps would be.

There is no obligation associated with an initial consultation.