linkwill

Linkwill is a concept in digital estate planning describing a will that uses linked data and machine-readable references to designate the distribution or deactivation of digital assets across online services. Unlike traditional paper or electronic wills that list assets by generic categories, a linkwill ties each asset to a resolvable identifier—such as a service URL, a custodial account ID, or a cryptographic hash—allowing executors to locate and verify assets.

Purpose and scope: It aims to address the complexities of modern digital estates, including online accounts, cloud storage, digital currencies, and content rights. A typical linkwill comprises four elements: metadata (creator, date, jurisdiction), a list of asset references, beneficiary instructions, and governance rules (revocation, guardians, contingencies). The data model is often designed to be interoperable via a standardized schema and may be stored in tamper-evident, encrypted repositories or distributed ledgers.

Process and security: Access to execution data is protected by cryptographic signatures and multi-factor authentication. Some implementations use time-locked releases or smart-contract logic to honor conditions (such as probate confirmation). Executable workflows may integrate with traditional probate processes or be used as a supplement, not a replacement, for paper wills.

Legal status and challenges: The recognition of linkwill varies by jurisdiction. Legal enforceability depends on will validity, asset ownership, and cross-platform cooperation. Risks include link rot, privacy exposure, and platform access barriers. Best practices emphasize privacy-preserving identifiers, clear revocation procedures, and consultation with legal counsel.

See also: digital estate planning, digital will, smart contract, probate, digital asset management.