Title: A Secure Blockchain Intergrated Web Framework For Digital Estate Planning And Automated Asset Succession
Authors: Maligisa Samweli, Yuda Arusha, Gidion Seleli, Emmanuel George, Georgina Ndondole, Furaha Mustafa, Imagi Ginori, Enock Myinga, George Adonatus
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Pages: 113-117
Publication Date: 2026/02/28
Abstract:
The rapid growth of digital assets such as cryptocurrencies, online financial accounts, intellectual property, and digital identities has exposed significant limitations in traditional estate planning systems, which often lack adequate security, transparency, and automation for effective digital asset succession. Existing approaches rely heavily on centralized intermediaries and manual legal processes, resulting in delays, vulnerabilities to data interference, and difficulties in allowing rightful access to beneficiaries. Furthermore, strong encryption and authentication mechanisms that protect digital assets during an owner's lifetime frequently create an access gap after death or disability.This study proposes and implements a secure blockchain-integrated web framework for digital estate planning and automated asset succession. The framework leverages blockchain technology to ensure data integrity, immutability, transparency, and controlled access to digital estate records. Smart contracts are employed to encode inheritance rules and automatically execute asset transfers upon the verification of predefined triggering events, such as a Dead Man's Switch or authenticated death confirmation. A user-friendly web interface is integrated to enable asset owners to manage digital assets, designate beneficiaries, and monitor succession processes without requiring advanced technical expertise.The findings demonstrate that the proposed framework reduces reliance on intermediaries, minimizes the risk of cheating and inheritance conflicts, and improves the efficiency, security, and reliability of digital asset succession. This research contributes to existing knowledge by illustrating the practical application of blockchain and smart contract technologies in digital estate planning, while also providing a scalable and adaptable foundation for future developments in secure digital asset management and inheritance systems.