<p>Y can't spend the Bitcoins. You need the private key for an address to spend the Bitcoins from that address. There's no way around it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-11T09:05:14.333Z
2014-12-11T09:05:14.333Z
Nick ODell
<p>It would be possible to use a multisignature scheme in order to will the bitcoins. </p>

<p>A <strong>2 out of 3 multisignature address</strong> would be shared among three keys controlled by the bequeather X, the heir Y, and a trusted third party Z, for example the notary of X.</p>

<p><strong>Any two parties of the three could move the money:</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>Bequeather X could change his will with the help of Notary Z.</li>
<li>After demise of X, Heir Y can access the funds with support from Notary Z.</li>
<li>Bequeather X and Heir Y could access it in advance for other reasons.</li>
</ul>

<p>As <a href="https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/a/33966/5406">Nick has pointed out</a>, this would have to be done before the demise of the Bequeather, otherwise access would fall to whoever ended up in control of the private key, or the bitcoins would be lost if no-one regained it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-12T16:45:50.390Z
I've slightly improved your answer to make it a bit easier to understand. Please feel free to reverse any changes I've made or further improve it to your liking.
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-12T00:25:58.393Z
2014-12-12T16:43:21.083Z
2017-04-13T12:47:36.707Z
Lisa Cheng
<p>Since the private key is needed to validate ownership, how does it work when you cannot access the private key?</p>

<p>Say X owned bitcoins and willed it to Y, but Y does not have X's private key. Say X's estate does not want to to give access to the private key or the location of the private key is untraceable.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-11T08:07:43.793Z
Please clarify what "PK" do you use. Is it "Private Key" or "Public Key"?
amaclin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-11T08:25:31.553Z
PK = Private key
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-12T20:47:32.273Z
This may be interesting, even if it is pretty much purely theoretical: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Contracts#Example_4:_Using_external_state
Tyler
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-29T15:35:10.730Z
related: [What happens to my bitcoins when I die?](http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/3359/5406)
Murch
<legal><ownership><inheritance-plan>
Can you inherit bitcoins without the private key?
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
# Can you inherit bitcoins without the private key?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-12-11)

Since the private key is needed to validate ownership, how does it work when you cannot access the private key?

Say X owned bitcoins and willed it to Y, but Y does not have X's private key. Say X's estate does not want to to give access to the private key or the location of the private key is untraceable.

**Tags:** legal, ownership, inheritance-plan

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Please clarify what "PK" do you use. Is it "Private Key" or "Public Key"?  
> **username_0**: PK = Private key  
> **username_2**: This may be interesting, even if it is pretty much purely theoretical: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Contracts#Example_4:_Using_external_state  
> **username_3**: related: [What happens to my bitcoins when I die?](http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/3359/5406)  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2014-12-11. Score: 4

Y can't spend the Bitcoins. You need the private key for an address to spend the Bitcoins from that address. There's no way around it.


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### Answer by username_5 on 2014-12-12. Score: 2

It would be possible to use a multisignature scheme in order to will the bitcoins.

A **2 out of 3 multisignature address** would be shared among three keys controlled by the bequeather X, the heir Y, and a trusted third party Z, for example the notary of X.

**Any two parties of the three could move the money:**

* Bequeather X could change his will with the help of Notary Z.
* After demise of X, Heir Y can access the funds with support from Notary Z.
* Bequeather X and Heir Y could access it in advance for other reasons.

As [Nick has pointed out](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/a/33966/5406), this would have to be done before the demise of the Bequeather, otherwise access would fall to whoever ended up in control of the private key, or the bitcoins would be lost if no-one regained it.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: I've slightly improved your answer to make it a bit easier to understand. Please feel free to reverse any changes I've made or further improve it to your liking.  

---

