THE SHORT ANSWER
The first step is to understand what was left, without exposing or altering the means of access. Having a device, an address or an inheritance document are different situations. Access depends on the wallet and available information; there is no general recovery guarantee.
I found a device. Does that mean I can access the funds?
Not necessarily. The device may require a PIN; an additional passphrase-protected wallet may exist; and wallets with multiple keys may need other participants or information. A device alone does not describe the whole setup.
Avoid guessing PINs, factory-resetting devices, deleting files or following tutorials before identifying the device and wallet type. Preserve the available materials for a proper assessment.
I have 12, 20 or 24 words. Is that enough?
The words may form part of a backup, but requirements vary. A shared backup may need other shares; a passphrase wallet needs the correct passphrase; a multisig setup may need the wallet policy as well as keys. [1][2][4]
Do not paste the words into a website promising to “find the balance” or send photographs to supposed specialists. For an initial conversation, describe the type of material found without reproducing its secret contents.
I only have an address or a purchase record
A public address may help observe transactions, but it does not authorize spending. A purchase record may indicate an exchange account or a withdrawal; it is not an access key.
If the assets were held by an exchange, the path involves the estate process and the institution’s official support. If they were in self-custody, the existing technical means of access need to be identified. These are different procedures.
Is inheritance entitlement the same as technical access?
No. Legal documentation and the technical ability to spend from a wallet are separate layers. Neither replaces the other. Authority to act and treatment of the estate should be established with the professionals responsible for succession.
A technical assessment can organise what exists and what is missing. It does not replace estate administration or recreate keys that were not preserved. Without sufficient recovery materials, access may be impossible.
If you are still the owner: practise with whoever will need to act
Detailed instructions do not ensure someone can use them. Preparation needs to account for a person under stress who may not understand the apps, terminology or differences between a password, PIN and passphrase.
We can assess recovery paths such as those offered by Liana, when appropriate, with the required keys and policy documented and maintenance requirements understood. This must be prepared before an emergency, not promised as a solution for any existing wallet. [3]
How I help the family
I help identify the setup, organise what exists and what is missing, and assess the next technical step. Where sufficient materials and appropriate authority exist, we define a guided procedure. For prevention, we design and test continuity with the people involved.
I do not need to receive seed phrases or private keys to understand the situation. An initial assessment is not a recovery promise, and inheritance cases may require a tailored proposal.
TO PREPARE YOUR CONVERSATION
Four points to clarify.
- Distinguish exchange custody from self-custody, where that information is available.
- List the types of materials available without copying or sharing secrets.
- Preserve devices and files; avoid unguided attempts or changes.
- Coordinate the technical assessment with whoever is authorized to handle the estate.
Sources and editorial approach
Questions were selected from public accounts and official documentation. User accounts inform the questions; technical guidance relies on the sources below. This is qualitative research, not a frequency estimate or an assessment of your wallet.