# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
# Executor File — EXAMPLE register (safe dummy data, format 3)
#
# Copy this file to estate.yaml at the repo root, replace every
# entry with your own, then run:  scripts/validate.sh
#
# estate.yaml is git-ignored. This example is the only register
# that may ever be committed. Notice what is NOT here: no
# passwords, no full account numbers, no seed phrases. Pointers
# only — the executor gets credentials from the password manager.
#
# preferred_action is guidance, not law: preferred actions are
# practical guidance, subject to the will, beneficiary
# designations, ownership rights, provider terms, and applicable
# law.
#
# first_step is what the executor does NOW (usually: secure,
# don't dispose); preferred_action is the eventual disposition.
# depends_on orders the work: [A006] means "deal with A006 first".
# ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

meta:
  format_version: 3
  owner: Alex Example
  updated: 2026-07-17
  jurisdictions: [US-NY, UK]
  domicile: US-NY
  password_manager: >
    1Password family account. Executor access via the printed Emergency Kit
    held in the fireproof box at [home], and via family-organiser recovery
    (Jo Example is a family organiser).
  notes: >
    This file lists assets and intended actions. It holds no passwords.
    Credentials for everything below live in the password manager above.
    Preserve before you dispose: secure devices, recovery material, and
    anything a business depends on FIRST; understand your legal authority
    before moving anything.

assets:
  - id: A001
    provider: HSBC UK
    type: cash
    identifier: "current a/c …1234"
    priority: high
    ownership: sole
    status: active
    last_confirmed: 2026-07-17
    jurisdiction: UK
    approx_value: "£8,000"
    preferred_action: liquidate
    action_notes: >
      Sole account. Notify via HSBC bereavement services, transfer the
      balance to the estate account, then close.
    access_pointer: "1Password > HSBC"

  - id: A002
    provider: Vanguard
    type: holding
    identifier: "brokerage …9876"
    priority: normal
    ownership: beneficiary-designated
    status: active
    last_confirmed: 2026-07-17
    jurisdiction: US
    approx_value: "$40,000 (index funds)"
    preferred_action: transfer
    beneficiary: Jo Example
    first_step: >
      Nothing urgent — transfer-on-death designation should pass outside
      probate. Confirm with Vanguard's estate team before touching it.
    action_notes: >
      Transfer-on-death beneficiary already set to Jo Example — confirm with
      Vanguard's estate team; should pass outside probate.
    access_pointer: "1Password > Vanguard"

  - id: A003
    provider: Adobe Creative Cloud
    type: subscription
    identifier: "billed to Amex …5678"
    priority: high
    ownership: sole
    status: active
    last_confirmed: 2026-07-17
    jurisdiction: US
    approx_value: "liability ~$60/mo"
    billing_cycle: monthly
    preferred_action: cancel
    action_notes: "Recurring charge. Cancel promptly to stop billing the estate."
    access_pointer: "1Password > Adobe"

  - id: A004
    provider: Ledger hardware wallet
    type: crypto
    identifier: "wallet label: cold-storage-main"
    priority: critical
    ownership: sole
    status: active
    last_confirmed: 2026-07-17
    jurisdiction: US
    approx_value: "$15,000 (BTC + ETH)"
    preferred_action: transfer
    beneficiary: Jo Example
    first_step: >
      Secure the device and the seed backup — do NOT move funds yet, and
      never type recovery words into any website or app.
    depends_on: [A006]
    action_notes: >
      Unrecoverable without the seed. The device is in the fireproof box at
      [home]; the seed phrase backup is in the bank deposit box (A006) —
      retrieve that first. Get a technically competent, trusted helper
      before moving anything.
    access_pointer: "Device PIN and instructions: 1Password > Ledger"

  - id: A005
    provider: widgets-example.com (side business)
    type: online-business
    identifier: "Stripe account + domain at Namecheap"
    priority: high
    ownership: business-owned
    status: active
    last_confirmed: 2026-07-17
    jurisdiction: US
    approx_value: "~$300/mo net revenue"
    preferred_action: transfer
    beneficiary: Sam Example (co-builder)
    first_step: >
      Keep the domain, hosting, and Stripe account RUNNING — a lapsed
      domain or hosting bill destroys the value in days. Cancel nothing here
      until the handover is decided.
    action_notes: >
      Small SaaS. Offer first to co-builder Sam Example (contact in
      1Password note); if declined within 3 months, cancel the hosting and
      let the domain lapse. Customers must get 30 days' notice by email.
    access_pointer: "1Password > Widgets vault (Stripe, Namecheap, Railway)"

  - id: A006
    provider: First Republic safe deposit box
    type: other
    identifier: "box …22, Main St branch"
    priority: critical
    ownership: sole
    status: active
    last_confirmed: 2026-07-17
    jurisdiction: US
    approx_value: "contents: documents + seed backup"
    preferred_action: notify-only
    first_step: >
      Start the bank's access process early — it needs the death
      certificate and letters testamentary, which take time to obtain.
    action_notes: >
      Executor access requires the death certificate and letters
      testamentary. Contains the seed phrase backup for A004 — retrieve
      before doing anything with crypto.
    access_pointer: "Key taped inside the fireproof box lid at [home]"

  - id: A007
    provider: American Express
    type: liability
    identifier: "card …5678"
    priority: high
    ownership: sole
    status: active
    last_confirmed: 2026-07-17
    jurisdiction: US
    approx_value: "liability, ~$1,200 revolving"
    billing_cycle: monthly
    preferred_action: settle
    action_notes: >
      Notify Amex estate services; stop the card, settle the balance from
      the estate. Subscriptions billed to it are listed separately here —
      cancel those first or they follow the balance.
    access_pointer: "1Password > Amex"

  - id: A008
    provider: WordPress blog (alexwrites.example.com)
    type: other
    identifier: "self-hosted on shared hosting …0042"
    priority: low
    ownership: sole
    status: active
    last_confirmed: unknown
    jurisdiction: US
    approx_value: "sentimental only, hosting $8/mo"
    billing_cycle: monthly
    preferred_action: delete
    first_step: >
      Download a full backup for the family archive BEFORE cancelling
      anything.
    action_notes: >
      Download a full backup for the family archive first, then cancel
      hosting and delete the site. Nothing here has commercial value.
    access_pointer: "1Password > Bluehost"

  - id: A009
    provider: Apple iCloud photo library
    type: other
    identifier: "Apple ID alex@example.com"
    priority: normal
    ownership: sole
    status: active
    last_confirmed: 2026-07-17
    jurisdiction: US
    approx_value: "sentimental — 20 years of family photos"
    preferred_action: preserve
    first_step: >
      Nothing time-critical, but do not let the Apple account close before
      the photos are exported.
    action_notes: >
      Keep the library intact for the family. Jo Example is Apple Legacy
      Contact (see platform_legacy_tools) — use that route to export
      everything to a family drive before the account is closed.
    access_pointer: "1Password > Apple"

contacts:
  - role: solicitor
    name: Priya Solicitor, Example & Co LLP
    pointer: "office +1 555 0100; firm address in 1Password > Solicitor"
    note: Holds the original will and a sealed copy of share 3.
  - role: accountant
    name: Chris Accountant
    pointer: "chris@example-accounts.com"
    note: Prepares the annual returns; knows the business finances.
  - role: technical helper
    name: Sam Example
    pointer: "contact card in 1Password > Widgets vault"
    note: Trusted for anything technical — crypto, servers, the business.
  - role: share-holder
    name: Jo Example (spouse)
    pointer: "[phone]"
    note: Holds printed share 1.
  - role: share-holder
    name: Pat Example (sibling)
    pointer: "[phone]"
    note: Holds printed share 2.
  - role: share-holder
    name: Priya Solicitor
    pointer: "office +1 555 0100"
    note: Holds printed share 3 (sealed, in the deeds packet).

documents:
  - name: Will (original)
    location: "Example & Co LLP, deeds storage"
    note: Priya Solicitor holds it; executor named there.
  - name: Life insurance schedule
    location: "Fireproof box at [home], green folder"
  - name: House deeds
    location: "Example & Co LLP, deeds storage"
  - name: Executor File copy (USB)
    location: "USB stick in the fireproof box at [home]"
    note: estate.yaml.age with its .sha256 sidecar.
  - name: Executor File copy (cloud)
    location: "Private cloud drive > Estate folder"
    note: Refresh after every review (scripts/verify-copies.sh checks).

platform_legacy_tools:
  - platform: Apple
    tool: Legacy Contact
    configured: true
    contact: Jo Example
  - platform: Google
    tool: Inactive Account Manager
    configured: true
    contact: Jo Example (3-month inactivity trigger)
  - platform: Meta
    tool: Legacy Contact
    configured: false      # to do — set in Facebook memorialization settings

Executor report — the estate of Alex Example

Generated 2026-07-19 from the register last reviewed 2026-07-17. 9 active entries, 0 closed (recorded for the trail; no action needed). The register file itself (estate.yaml) is the source of truth — this report just puts it in working order.

How to work: PRESERVE BEFORE YOU DISPOSE. Secure devices, recovery material, and anything a business depends on first; understand your legal authority (probate, joint ownership, beneficiary designations) before moving anything; then stop money bleeding out; then the rest. Nothing here overrides the will. For any provider, searching “ bereavement” usually finds their process. Treat this report exactly like the register: never email it unencrypted, never upload it, never paste it into AI tools.

Do first — secure, do not dispose

• A006 · First Republic safe deposit box — box …22, Main St branch (other, sole, priority critical) — contents: documents + seed backup
  • First: Start the bank’s access process early — it needs the death certificate and letters testamentary, which take time to obtain.
  • What I want done: notify the provider; nothing else expected
  • Notes: Executor access requires the death certificate and letters testamentary. Contains the seed phrase backup for A004 — retrieve before doing anything with crypto.
  • Where the login lives: Key taped inside the fireproof box lid at [home]
• A004 · Ledger hardware wallet — wallet label: cold-storage-main (crypto, sole, priority critical) — $15,000 (BTC + ETH)
  • First: Secure the device and the seed backup — do NOT move funds yet, and never type recovery words into any website or app.
  • Order: deal with A006 (First Republic safe deposit box) first
  • What I want done: transfer to Jo Example
  • Notes: Unrecoverable without the seed. The device is in the fireproof box at [home]; the seed phrase backup is in the bank deposit box (A006) — retrieve that first. Get a technically competent, trusted helper before moving anything.
  • Where the login lives: Device PIN and instructions: 1Password > Ledger
• A005 · widgets-example.com (side business) — Stripe account + domain at Namecheap (online-business, business-owned, priority high) — ~$300/mo net revenue
  • First: Keep the domain, hosting, and Stripe account RUNNING — a lapsed domain or hosting bill destroys the value in days. Cancel nothing here until the handover is decided.
  • What I want done: transfer to Sam Example (co-builder)
  • Notes: Small SaaS. Offer first to co-builder Sam Example (contact in 1Password note); if declined within 3 months, cancel the hosting and let the domain lapse. Customers must get 30 days’ notice by email.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Widgets vault (Stripe, Namecheap, Railway)
• A002 · Vanguard — brokerage …9876 (holding, beneficiary-designated, priority normal) — $40,000 (index funds)
  • First: Nothing urgent — transfer-on-death designation should pass outside probate. Confirm with Vanguard’s estate team before touching it.
  • What I want done: transfer to Jo Example
  • Notes: Transfer-on-death beneficiary already set to Jo Example — confirm with Vanguard’s estate team; should pass outside probate.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Vanguard
• A009 · Apple iCloud photo library — Apple ID alex@example.com (other, sole, priority normal) — sentimental — 20 years of family photos
  • First: Nothing time-critical, but do not let the Apple account close before the photos are exported.
  • What I want done: preserve — keep it alive and intact
  • Notes: Keep the library intact for the family. Jo Example is Apple Legacy Contact (see platform_legacy_tools) — use that route to export everything to a family drive before the account is closed.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Apple
• A008 · WordPress blog (alexwrites.example.com) — self-hosted on shared hosting …0042 (other, sole, priority low) — sentimental only, hosting $8/mo
  • First: Download a full backup for the family archive BEFORE cancelling anything.
  • What I want done: close the account and erase the contents
  • Bills: monthly
  • Notes: Download a full backup for the family archive first, then cancel hosting and delete the site. Nothing here has commercial value.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Bluehost
  • Freshness: never confirmed — verify this entry still exists before spending time on it

Money bleeding out — recurring charges and debts

• A003 · Adobe Creative Cloud — billed to Amex …5678 (subscription, sole, priority high) — liability ~$60/mo
  • What I want done: cancel the service or charge
  • Bills: monthly
  • Notes: Recurring charge. Cancel promptly to stop billing the estate.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Adobe
• A007 · American Express — card …5678 (liability, sole, priority high) — liability, ~$1,200 revolving
  • What I want done: settle — pay off from the estate
  • Bills: monthly
  • Notes: Notify Amex estate services; stop the card, settle the balance from the estate. Subscriptions billed to it are listed separately here — cancel those first or they follow the balance.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Amex
• A008 · WordPress blog (alexwrites.example.com) — self-hosted on shared hosting …0042 (other, sole, priority low) — sentimental only, hosting $8/mo
  • First: Download a full backup for the family archive BEFORE cancelling anything.
  • What I want done: close the account and erase the contents
  • Bills: monthly
  • Notes: Download a full backup for the family archive first, then cancel hosting and delete the site. Nothing here has commercial value.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Bluehost
  • Freshness: never confirmed — verify this entry still exists before spending time on it

Assets to liquidate

• A001 · HSBC UK — current a/c …1234 (cash, sole, priority high) — £8,000
  • What I want done: liquidate — sell/withdraw the value into the estate
  • Notes: Sole account. Notify via HSBC bereavement services, transfer the balance to the estate account, then close.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > HSBC

Debts to settle

• A007 · American Express — card …5678 (liability, sole, priority high) — liability, ~$1,200 revolving
  • What I want done: settle — pay off from the estate
  • Bills: monthly
  • Notes: Notify Amex estate services; stop the card, settle the balance from the estate. Subscriptions billed to it are listed separately here — cancel those first or they follow the balance.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Amex

To transfer

• A004 · Ledger hardware wallet — wallet label: cold-storage-main (crypto, sole, priority critical) — $15,000 (BTC + ETH)
  • First: Secure the device and the seed backup — do NOT move funds yet, and never type recovery words into any website or app.
  • Order: deal with A006 (First Republic safe deposit box) first
  • What I want done: transfer to Jo Example
  • Notes: Unrecoverable without the seed. The device is in the fireproof box at [home]; the seed phrase backup is in the bank deposit box (A006) — retrieve that first. Get a technically competent, trusted helper before moving anything.
  • Where the login lives: Device PIN and instructions: 1Password > Ledger
• A005 · widgets-example.com (side business) — Stripe account + domain at Namecheap (online-business, business-owned, priority high) — ~$300/mo net revenue
  • First: Keep the domain, hosting, and Stripe account RUNNING — a lapsed domain or hosting bill destroys the value in days. Cancel nothing here until the handover is decided.
  • What I want done: transfer to Sam Example (co-builder)
  • Notes: Small SaaS. Offer first to co-builder Sam Example (contact in 1Password note); if declined within 3 months, cancel the hosting and let the domain lapse. Customers must get 30 days’ notice by email.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Widgets vault (Stripe, Namecheap, Railway)
• A002 · Vanguard — brokerage …9876 (holding, beneficiary-designated, priority normal) — $40,000 (index funds)
  • First: Nothing urgent — transfer-on-death designation should pass outside probate. Confirm with Vanguard’s estate team before touching it.
  • What I want done: transfer to Jo Example
  • Notes: Transfer-on-death beneficiary already set to Jo Example — confirm with Vanguard’s estate team; should pass outside probate.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Vanguard

To preserve — keep these alive

• A009 · Apple iCloud photo library — Apple ID alex@example.com (other, sole, priority normal) — sentimental — 20 years of family photos
  • First: Nothing time-critical, but do not let the Apple account close before the photos are exported.
  • What I want done: preserve — keep it alive and intact
  • Notes: Keep the library intact for the family. Jo Example is Apple Legacy Contact (see platform_legacy_tools) — use that route to export everything to a family drive before the account is closed.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Apple

To cancel, delete, or just notify

• A006 · First Republic safe deposit box — box …22, Main St branch (other, sole, priority critical) — contents: documents + seed backup
  • First: Start the bank’s access process early — it needs the death certificate and letters testamentary, which take time to obtain.
  • What I want done: notify the provider; nothing else expected
  • Notes: Executor access requires the death certificate and letters testamentary. Contains the seed phrase backup for A004 — retrieve before doing anything with crypto.
  • Where the login lives: Key taped inside the fireproof box lid at [home]
• A003 · Adobe Creative Cloud — billed to Amex …5678 (subscription, sole, priority high) — liability ~$60/mo
  • What I want done: cancel the service or charge
  • Bills: monthly
  • Notes: Recurring charge. Cancel promptly to stop billing the estate.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Adobe
• A008 · WordPress blog (alexwrites.example.com) — self-hosted on shared hosting …0042 (other, sole, priority low) — sentimental only, hosting $8/mo
  • First: Download a full backup for the family archive BEFORE cancelling anything.
  • What I want done: close the account and erase the contents
  • Bills: monthly
  • Notes: Download a full backup for the family archive first, then cancel hosting and delete the site. Nothing here has commercial value.
  • Where the login lives: 1Password > Bluehost
  • Freshness: never confirmed — verify this entry still exists before spending time on it

Stale or unconfirmed entries — verify these exist before spending time

These entries were not confirmed recently (or ever). They may have been closed or moved since — check before acting.

• A008 · WordPress blog (alexwrites.example.com) — self-hosted on shared hosting …0042 (other, sole, priority low) — sentimental only, hosting $8/mo
  • Last confirmed: never

Platform legacy settings — incomplete ones first

These platform settings legally outrank the will in the US (RUFADAA). Coordinate with the people named; where a tool was never configured, expect the standard bereavement process of that provider instead.

• Apple — Legacy Contact: configured
  • Named contact: Jo Example
• Google — Inactive Account Manager: configured
  • Named contact: Jo Example (3-month inactivity trigger)
• Meta — Legacy Contact: NOT CONFIGURED

People to call

• Priya Solicitor, Example & Co LLP (solicitor)
  • Reach: office +1 555 0100; firm address in 1Password > Solicitor
  • Note: Holds the original will and a sealed copy of share 3.
• Chris Accountant (accountant)
  • Reach: chris@example-accounts.com
  • Note: Prepares the annual returns; knows the business finances.
• Sam Example (technical helper)
  • Reach: contact card in 1Password > Widgets vault
  • Note: Trusted for anything technical — crypto, servers, the business.
• Jo Example (spouse) (share-holder)
  • Reach: [phone]
  • Note: Holds printed share 1.
• Pat Example (sibling) (share-holder)
  • Reach: [phone]
  • Note: Holds printed share 2.
• Priya Solicitor (share-holder)
  • Reach: office +1 555 0100
  • Note: Holds printed share 3 (sealed, in the deeds packet).

Where the paper lives

• Will (original) — Example & Co LLP, deeds storage
  • Note: Priya Solicitor holds it; executor named there.
• Life insurance schedule — Fireproof box at [home], green folder
• House deeds — Example & Co LLP, deeds storage
• Executor File copy (USB) — USB stick in the fireproof box at [home]
  • Note: estate.yaml.age with its .sha256 sidecar.
• Executor File copy (cloud) — Private cloud drive > Estate folder
  • Note: Refresh after every review (scripts/verify-copies.sh checks). — end of report. Delete this file and the register when the estate is settled; until then, they stay on this computer only.