Bitcoin & Crypto Estate Investigation for Attorneys & Fiduciaries

Does your estate
have bitcoin or crypto?

We investigate, locate, and recover bitcoin and crypto estate assets for probate attorneys, trustees, and court-appointed fiduciaries. Flat-fee engagements. Written findings report. No recovery, no success fee.

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~$400B

Estimated lost
Bitcoin worldwide

1 in 5

American adults
own cryptocurrency

<1 in 4

Crypto holders have a
documented inheritance plan

Bitcoin & Crypto Estate Investigation

Three reasons fiduciaries call us on estate crypto matters.

Some fiduciaries call because they’ve found something they can’t open — an encrypted wallet, a hardware device, a laptop with confirmed holdings and no accessible credentials. The asset is confirmed. It just needs to be unlocked.

Others call because the circumstances strongly suggest digital assets exist but haven’t been located yet: an individual with a technical background, unexplained exchange transactions in the financial records, old hardware in the estate. The indicators are strong enough to warrant investigation before closing.

Others call to satisfy due diligence — to document that a reasonable search was conducted and nothing was missed. Each matter closes with a written report of what was found, or confirmed not to exist, and the methodology behind it.

Because the work centers on the device rather than the asset type, it also surfaces indicators of traditional hidden assets — undisclosed accounts, forgotten retirement funds, and safe deposit box records that may not appear in the obvious estate inventory.

15%

of crypto holders are now over 55 — and digital assets are increasingly aging into estates

89%

of crypto holders worry their assets won't reach their heirs — yet most have no documented plan

15+

years of financial investigation and asset recovery experience underlying every engagement

Estate Crypto & Bitcoin Investigation Services

Our Services

What sets the practice apart is its focus on the device — the hardware where assets, and the credentials to reach them, actually live. We apply the same disciplined, documented forensics whether the holdings are cryptocurrency or traditional: write-blocked imaging, hash verification, and a written report of what was found or ruled out. Each matter draws on 15+ years of financial investigation experience and certified cryptocurrency investigation credentials.

Does this matter have digital assets?

Digital Asset Investigation

We examine estate devices and review the individual's digital footprint — exchange registrations, browser history, financial records, and online activity — to determine whether digital assets exist and where they are held. Whether you have no confirmation or strong reason to believe assets exist but haven't been located, the investigation approach is the same. We also surface indicators of traditional hidden assets: undisclosed accounts, forgotten retirement funds, and safe deposit box records.

The asset is located — how do we access it?

Known Asset Access

The wallet or device has been identified. The only problem is access — a forgotten password or encrypted device. We work directly from the known asset using targeted password recovery built from information gathered during the intake process. No discovery investigation required. Scope and timeline are confirmed before work begins. A written findings report is delivered on engagement close.

Our Estate Crypto Investigation Process

A straightforward engagement. No complexity for your client.

Engagements are designed to be straightforward for all parties. The fiduciary manages the client relationship; we handle the technical work and deliver a written report.

Free Consultation

A 15-minute call to understand the matter. For Known Asset Access engagements, we confirm scope and move directly to engagement. For investigation engagements, we'll assess whether the matter warrants the work based on the individual's background, occupation, and what hardware is in the estate — if it doesn't, we'll say so.

Engagement & Device Submission

We provide a standard engagement letter outlining scope, fees, and process. Devices or files are submitted one of three ways depending on what you have access to:

Path A — File transfer. If you have a wallet file, seed phrase document, or other relevant files, send them securely by email. Fastest path to recovery.

Path B — Drive shipment. If the hard drive can be removed from the device, ship the drive only. We confirm receipt and condition on arrival.

Path C — Device shipment. If neither of the above is possible, ship the entire device. We handle extraction, imaging, and return the device per your instructions.

Investigation or Recovery Work

We conduct the agreed work and keep the fiduciary informed of progress. Investigation engagements combine device examination with a targeted review of the individual's digital footprint. Known asset access engagements work directly on the identified asset using targeted recovery methods. All device work uses hardware write blockers from the moment devices are received.

Findings Report

Every engagement concludes with a written findings report delivered to the attorney of record. The report includes:

–Complete device inventory with serial numbers and condition at intake
–Forensic methodology — tools used, process followed, hash verification
–Findings summary — assets discovered, or documented confirmation that none were found

Recovery & Transfer

If assets are located, we recover and transfer them directly to the fiduciary-designated account. Recovery work requires temporary technical access to the private keys necessary to complete the transfer. Where a success fee applies, it is deducted from recovered assets prior to transfer — all remaining assets are transferred immediately and in full. Private keys and wallet credentials are never handled on an internet-connected machine. Devices are returned to the fiduciary. Forensic images and working copies are securely destroyed on engagement close.

Fee Structure

Flat fees for investigation. Success fees on recovery.

Digital Asset Investigation Device forensic analysis · digital footprint review · hidden asset indicators · written report

1 device

$1,500

2–4 devices

$2,200

5+ devices $300 per additional device beyond 5

$3,000+

Known Asset Access Targeted password recovery · no discovery investigation required

Engagement fee Due at signing · credited against success fee if assets are recovered

$500

All Engagements

Recovery success fee Applies when self-custodied assets are recovered · 15% to $100K · 10% on $100K–$500K · 5% above $500K · minimum $1,500

5–15%

Initial Consultation Case assessment · service recommendation · no obligation

No charge

How fees work for the estate

In many estates, investigation fees may be treated as an administration expense payable from estate assets — subject to court approval and the advice of counsel. Recovery success fees are deducted from recovered assets before transfer, so recovery is effectively self-funding. The $500 Known Asset Access engagement fee is credited against the success fee on recovery.

When nothing is found or recovered

You receive a written report either way — whether or not digital assets are found. If none are located, the report documents that a reasonable search was conducted. No success fee is charged if assets cannot be recovered. For Known Asset Access engagements, the $500 engagement fee is retained if access is not achieved.

Engagement Guide

Signs that digital assets may exist.

These indicators apply to estates, trusts, receiverships, and conservatorships — any matter where digital assets may exist or may be inaccessible. If two or more apply, contact us before closing the matter. If you already know digital assets exist but cannot be accessed, contact us directly.

Financial records show unexplained transactions to cryptocurrency exchanges or payment platforms

Known assets appear inconsistent with the individual's income or lifestyle — possible undisclosed holdings

The individual worked in technology, engineering, finance, or a related technical field

The individual ever mentioned Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, or "digital money"

Old computing devices are present — laptops, desktops, or external drives from the 2008–2016 era

USB drives, hardware wallets, or unusual storage devices are present

The individual is under 60, or has a visible online presence

The individual was active in online communities, forums, or technical hobbyist groups

The individual held domain names, online businesses, monetized accounts, or other digital property

Start a Bitcoin Estate or Crypto Estate Matter

Start a bitcoin estate or crypto estate matter.

Consultations are free, confidential, and take approximately 15 minutes. We’ll review the bitcoin estate or crypto estate matter, recommend the appropriate service, and explain exactly what the engagement would involve.

We serve fiduciaries nationwide. Devices are shipped to us for forensic analysis; recovered assets are transferred directly to the designated account, regardless of location. Local engagements in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region can be handled in person.

Engagements are initiated through the attorney of record, executor, trustee, court-appointed receiver, or conservator. We do not engage directly with estate beneficiaries or family members.

Trust Forensics does not provide general data recovery, IT support, or consumer device services. Our practice is limited to civil legal and financial asset investigations for attorneys, fiduciaries, and court-appointed professionals. We do not accept criminal defense referrals, law enforcement work, or government contract engagements.

Sample findings reports are available on request.

Phone

(513) 204-9844

Address

2345 Ashland Avenue, Suite 241
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206

matthew@trustforensics.co

Consultations are confidential and carry no obligation. We typically respond to email inquiries within one business day.

Does your estatehave bitcoin or crypto?