Beneficiaries and claims

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 passphrase you shared. Contents decrypt in their browser.

For assisted or owner-shared delivery, they do not need to enroll beforehand. For direct account delivery, they create an account when invited. At claim time they use the claim link and the unlock method for that delivery mode.

Yes. You designate which contacts receive which encrypted docs and files. Named contacts receive only what you chose for them, not your entire vault.

Yes. Add, update, or remove contacts on the Contacts page while your vault is active. If you use owner-shared unlock, make sure each beneficiary still has the current passphrase.

Free uses HeirVault-assisted silent delivery: HeirVault stores a protected key for that beneficiary's handoff, so that handoff is not end-to-end to the beneficiary alone. Pro and Shield can also invite the beneficiary now (end-to-end) or share a unique beneficiary passphrase out of band (end-to-end). Witnesses confirm release. They are not a delivery mode.

For owner-shared delivery, the vault owner must generate a new beneficiary passphrase and rebuild the handoff. For direct account delivery, the beneficiary recovers through their account. For assisted delivery, sign in with the invited email to finish claim while the vault is still released.

Usually yes, at least that they may receive a claim email someday and how unlock works for your vault. They do not need an account beforehand.

Yes. Tell the people you name that they may receive a claim email from HeirVault someday, what it will look like, and how unlock works for your vault. That way a real claim does not look like phishing, and they know what to do when it matters.

On Pro and Shield, a witness is someone you name on the Contacts page who votes on whether vault-level release should proceed after the waiting period. HeirVault emails each witness a confirmation link when that period ends. Release starts only after a majority approves. Witnesses do not reset your timer and do not receive content or handoff keys. Free plans do not include witnesses.

Beneficiaries receive designated docs and files when vault release starts. Witnesses confirm release; they are a Pro and Shield release control, not automatically recipients of vault contents unless you also mark them as a beneficiary on the Contacts page. The same contact can have both roles. Groups only include beneficiaries.

Handoff preview is a dry run opened from the eye icon in the dashboard header. It shows which beneficiaries would receive which docs and files if release happened right now, based on your current assignments and handoff readiness. Nothing is released when you view it. From the same panel you can start a Practice release that opens a sample claim portal without emails or a real vault release.

Owners can open a Practice claim from Who gets what, or send a Practice link from Contacts. Practice links always show a Practice banner and sample placeholders. They never release the vault, never unlock live handoff contents, and practice emails always say Practice. A real claim email says the handoff is ready.

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.