Secure Your Legacy, Permanently

Real World Case Studies

In the “old” days, important documents like Wills & Testaments could be sealed with a verified priority date by using registered post, locking-in their authenticity.

 

Today it’s much more secure. The Will can be encrypted onto the Blockchain with only authorized parties and heirs receiving the unlock codes—so that anything sensitive within the Will, is inaccessible to absolutely everyone but the intended recipients.

 

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Case Study 1

Resolving a Family Dispute Over a Will

 

SCENARIO

David Thompson, a Baby Boomer, created a will dividing his assets equally among his three children. However, after his death, one child claimed the will had been altered shortly before his passing to increase their share. The family was at odds, with no clear way to resolve the dispute.

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PROBLEM

The original will was misplaced during estate administration, and only a photocopy was available.

Without the original, the court required extensive evidence to validate the photocopy, leading to delays and escalating legal fees.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

David had used a blockchain-enabled will service, inscribing a cryptographic hash of his signed will as an Ordinal on the Bitcoin blockchain. This immutable record, timestamped at the time of its creation, verified the will’s authenticity.

Upon David’s death, the executor accessed the blockchain record and presented it to the court, confirming the unaltered content of the will.

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OUTCOME

The blockchain record resolved the authenticity dispute within days, avoiding a costly and prolonged legal battle.

The family accepted the will’s validity and moved forward with the distribution of assets as David intended.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Avoided emotional and financial stress from a prolonged dispute.

• Lawyers: Resolved the case quickly with immutable blockchain evidence.

• Courts: Spared from adjudicating complex forgery claims.

 

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Case Study 2

Preventing Delays from a Lost Will

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SCENARIO

Margaret Jacobs, a retired teacher, created a will naming her two grandchildren as primary beneficiaries. Unfortunately, the physical copy of the will was destroyed in a house fire, leaving her estate in limbo.

 

PROBLEM

Without the original will, her estate was deemed intestate, meaning her assets would be distributed according to South Africa’s laws of intestacy, bypassing her intended beneficiaries.

This would require costly legal proceedings and extensive documentation to recreate her wishes.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Margaret’s will was hashed and inscribed on the blockchain using a will service. This created an immutable, timestamped record, while the original remained in her executor’s safe.
After the fire, the executor used the blockchain record to prove the will’s existence and authenticity.

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OUTCOME

The court accepted the blockchain record as evidence, allowing the probate process to proceed as if the original will were intact.

Margaret’s grandchildren received their inheritance without delays.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Inherited as intended without additional costs or delays.

• Lawyers: Avoided time-consuming efforts to reestablish Margaret’s wishes.

• Courts: Simplified probate by relying on blockchain evidence.

 

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Case Study 3

Avoiding Fraudulent Executor Actions

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SCENARIO

John Walters, a widowed businessman, appointed his nephew as the executor of his estate. The nephew attempted to defraud the family by altering the will to name himself as the primary beneficiary.

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PROBLEM

The family contested the will, leading to a legal battle over which version was valid.
The altered will delayed asset distribution and caused significant financial and emotional strain for the family.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION:

John had inscribed his will on the blockchain using an Ordinal service. The original will’s hash and timestamp were securely stored, ensuring any alterations would be instantly detectable.

Upon John’s death, the court compared the blockchain record with the altered will and found the fraud.

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OUTCOME

The fraudulent executor was disqualified, and the court upheld the original will.
The estate was distributed according to John’s true wishes, protecting his family from financial loss.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Protected their inheritance and avoided further disputes.

• Lawyers: Resolved the fraud case efficiently using blockchain evidence.

• Courts: Quickly invalidated the fraudulent will with clear proof.

 

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Case Study 4

Simplifying Probate for a Blended Family

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SCENARIO

Susan Meyer, a Baby Boomer with children from two marriages, created a will to ensure her assets were fairly distributed among her biological children and stepchildren. She feared disputes might arise between her blended family members after her death.

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PROBLEM

Probate often triggers mistrust and accusations in blended families, leading to delays and costly disputes.

Without a clear and trusted record, beneficiaries might question the executor’s integrity or the will’s validity.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Susan used a blockchain-enabled will service to inscribe her will and a video statement explaining her wishes. Both were encrypted and accessible only with a key given to the executor.

After her death, the encrypted blockchain record and video were shared with all beneficiaries, demonstrating the authenticity and fairness of Susan’s intentions.

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OUTCOME

The blockchain record eliminated suspicion and mistrust, as the family recognized the immutability of Susan’s wishes.

Probate proceeded without disputes, ensuring the estate was distributed equitably.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Gained confidence in the process and avoided family conflict.

• Lawyers: Administered the estate without contentious litigation.

• Courts: Spared from mediating family disputes, saving time and resources.

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Case Study 5

Streamlining Estate Settlement Across Jurisdictions

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SCENARIO

Peter Jacobs retired in Portugal but retained property and bank accounts in South Africa. His will was written in South Africa, leaving instructions for the distribution of his global assets. After his death, settling the estate involved dealing with probate laws in both countries.

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PROBLEM

Probate in multiple jurisdictions caused delays as authorities in both countries required authentication of the will.

Beneficiaries faced high legal fees and months of waiting to access Peter’s assets.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Peter inscribed his will as an Ordinal, creating a timestamped record on the Bitcoin blockchain. The immutable blockchain record was accepted by authorities in both jurisdictions, streamlining the authentication process.

A Rune linked to the will triggered the distribution of specific assets to beneficiaries upon receiving confirmation of Peter’s death.

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OUTCOME

Probate was completed in half the time, reducing legal fees and avoiding jurisdictional disputes.

Beneficiaries accessed their inheritance promptly and without unnecessary delays.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Received assets faster, avoiding financial strain.

• Lawyers: Reduced the complexity of handling a cross-jurisdictional estate.

• Courts: Minimized duplication of legal processes.

 

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Case Study 6

Cross-Jurisdictional Will for an Emigrant

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SCENARIO

Mariam Hassan, a South African citizen, emigrated to Canada later in life. Her will, drafted in South Africa, detailed the distribution of assets in both countries, including her home in Johannesburg and retirement savings in Canada. Upon her death in Canada, the estate faced jurisdictional complexities.

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PROBLEM

Jurisdictional Conflict: South African and Canadian probate laws differ. Canadian authorities required authentication of the South African will, while South African authorities needed proof of its validity abroad.

Delays and Costs: Cross-border verification of the will caused significant delays and legal expenses for Mariam’s beneficiaries.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Before emigrating, Mariam inscribed her will as an Ordinal on the Bitcoin blockchain. The original, signed will was stored with her executor, but the blockchain inscription served as an immutable record of its existence and contents.

Upon her death, the executor used the blockchain record to prove the authenticity and timestamp of the will in both jurisdictions. Canadian and South African authorities accepted the blockchain record as evidence to streamline the authentication process.

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OUTCOME

• Proof Across Borders: The blockchain record avoided duplication of legal processes in South Africa and Canada.

• Faster Asset Distribution: The immutable timestamp on the blockchain eliminated delays caused by authentication disputes.

• Reduced Costs: Legal fees for cross-border verification were minimized, saving the beneficiaries significant expenses.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Accessed their inheritance without being caught in a prolonged legal process.

• Lawyers: Simplified cross-border validation and reduced administrative overhead.

• Courts: Avoided duplicate hearings and jurisdictional clashes, expediting the settlement.

 

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Case Study 7

Securing Digital Assets in a Will

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SCENARIO

James Muller, a tech-savvy investor, held significant wealth in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. He wanted to leave these assets to his son but was concerned about security. Writing the private keys into his will posed serious risks:
The executor, lawyers, or other beneficiaries might gain unauthorized access to the keys.

If the will became public during probate, the keys could be compromised.

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PROBLEM

“Not your keys, not your coins” meant that control over James’s digital assets depended entirely on the private keys.

Ensuring that only his son would gain access after his death required a secure and private mechanism.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

James used a Rune to programmatically secure access to his cryptocurrency keys. The Rune was tied to a smart contract-like mechanism, where:

His wallet address and encrypted private key were inscribed onto the Bitcoin blockchain.

A decryption key for the Rune was securely stored with a trusted neutral party, such as a multi-signature service or a hardware device.
The Rune was programmed to release the encrypted key to his son upon verification of specific conditions, such as a death certificate and a passphrase known only to his son.

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OUTCOME

• Privacy Preserved: The private key never appeared in the will or any legal documentation.

• Controlled Access: Only James’s son had the passphrase needed to unlock the Rune, ensuring no other party, including lawyers or executors, could gain access.

• Immutability: The blockchain record guaranteed that the instructions could not be altered or challenged after James’s death.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: James’s son gained full access to the digital assets without delays or legal disputes.

• Lawyers: Avoided handling sensitive data like private keys, reducing liability risks.

• Courts: Probate was streamlined, as the digital assets were transferred securely without requiring intervention.

 

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Case Study 8

Protecting Access to NFTs and Other Digital Assets

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SCENARIO

Sarah de Klerk, a graphic designer, accumulated a portfolio of high-value NFTs representing her artwork. She wanted to ensure her daughter inherited the NFTs while maintaining privacy and control.

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PROBLEM

Writing wallet credentials or recovery phrases into the will could expose them during probate.

Sarah was concerned that third parties, including lawyers or other family members, might exploit the recovery phrase.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Sarah used an Ordinal-based service to hash her wallet’s public address and inscribe it on the Bitcoin blockchain, creating a timestamped record of her ownership.

She secured her private keys using a multi-signature wallet, requiring:

A key held by her daughter.

A key held by a trusted neutral party (e.g., a custodial service).

A recovery process programmed into a Rune, activated only upon presentation of Sarah’s death certificate.

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OUTCOME

• Access Control: Only Sarah’s daughter could retrieve the NFTs by combining her key with the Rune’s activation mechanism.

• Tamper-Proof Record: The blockchain record ensured no one could dispute the transfer of ownership.

• Privacy Secured: Sensitive keys and wallet details remained protected throughout the probate process.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Received assets without exposing private data or risking theft.

• Lawyers: Facilitated the process without handling sensitive credentials.

• Courts: Avoided disputes over digital ownership, as the blockchain provided transparent proof.

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Key Insights from These SCENARIOs

Cross-Jurisdictional Challenges:

Blockchain eliminates the need for repeated authentication of wills across legal systems by providing universally verifiable, timestamped records.

This reduces costs and delays while ensuring compliance with local probate requirements.

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Securing Digital Assets:

By integrating blockchain inscriptions with encrypted keys and multi-signature mechanisms, the person drafting the will can maintain full control over digital assets while ensuring they pass seamlessly to the intended beneficiary.

Privacy and security are enhanced, mitigating risks associated with exposing sensitive data during probate.

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Efficiency for Lawyers and Courts:

Blockchain minimizes the administrative burden on legal professionals and the courts by providing irrefutable evidence and automating conditions for asset transfers.

 

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Case Study 9

Resolving a Dispute Over Suspected Forgery

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SCENARIO

John Smith passed away, leaving a will that named his three children as equal beneficiaries of his estate. However, a previously estranged sibling produced a different version of the will, claiming it was signed shortly before John’s death, significantly favoring them. The authenticity of both wills was in question.

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PROBLEM

Traditional resolution would require handwriting analysis, testimony from witnesses, and potential delays due to the manual validation of documents.

The case could drag on for months, costing the estate in legal fees and delaying the distribution of assets.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

John had used an Ordinal-enabled service to inscribe a hashed version of his will on the Bitcoin blockchain upon signing. The timestamp and hash were verifiable on the blockchain.

The court and lawyers simply retrieved the inscription using the wallet ID and matched the hash to the contested will.

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OUTCOME

The blockchain record irrefutably proved the authenticity of the will.
Legal fees were reduced, as no forensic analysis or prolonged court battles were required.

The dispute was resolved in weeks rather than months, and the beneficiaries received their inheritance promptly.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Faster resolution allowed them to avoid unnecessary delays in accessing their inheritance.

• Lawyers: Reduced the time spent on litigation, freeing resources for other cases.

• Courts: Relieved of lengthy adjudication processes, saving public resources.

 

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Case Study 10

Automated Execution with Rune Triggers

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SCENARIO

Mary Jones created a trust in her will that specified certain conditions for her grandchildren to receive their inheritance. She wanted her estate divided among her two grandchildren when they turned 25, but she passed away when one was 22 and the other was 24.

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PROBLEM

Traditional execution would require ongoing legal oversight to ensure the terms of the trust were met, adding administrative and legal fees over several years.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Mary used a Rune-enabled will. The Rune was programmed with an automatic unlock feature tied to specific conditions:

A trigger to release 50% of the funds immediately upon her death.

The remainder would be released when each grandchild turned 25, verified through a trusted identity provider.

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OUTCOME

Upon Mary’s death, the will executor accessed the Rune wallet, and the initial disbursement was automatically executed.

The blockchain triggered the remaining payments at the appropriate times without the need for ongoing legal oversight.

Administrative costs were significantly reduced, and the grandchildren received their inheritance precisely as Mary intended.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

Beneficiaries: Clear and timely distribution reduced confusion and delays.

Lawyers: Automated triggers minimized the need for prolonged involvement, cutting costs.

Courts: No need for ongoing oversight or trust dispute litigation.

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Case Study 11

Streamlining Cross-Border Estate Settlements

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SCENARIO

Peter Ndlovu was a South African expatriate with properties in South Africa, the UK, and Canada. His will specified how his global assets should be distributed among his children, but his death triggered a complex, multi-jurisdictional estate settlement process.

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PROBLEM

Each jurisdiction required authentication of the will, creating delays and additional legal fees.

Beneficiaries argued over asset allocation, and differing legal systems prolonged the process.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Peter’s will was inscribed as an encrypted Ordinal on the Bitcoin blockchain and linked to a Rune that held specific instructions for distribution.

Upon Peter’s passing, the will executor provided the decryption key, which revealed the encrypted Ordinal to all parties. The blockchain timestamp authenticated the document’s validity across jurisdictions.

Smart contract-style Runes allowed the executor to distribute assets seamlessly according to Peter’s instructions, eliminating the need for lengthy cross-border verifications.

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OUTCOME

The blockchain-recorded will avoided delays associated with authenticating physical copies in multiple jurisdictions.

Disputes were minimized because the instructions were immutably recorded, and the transparency of the blockchain reassured all beneficiaries.

Costs for translation, notarization, and legal fees were significantly reduced.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Received inheritance more quickly and equitably.

• Lawyers: Avoided redundant legal processes in multiple jurisdictions.

• Courts: Simplified estate settlement processes reduced legal congestion.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Immutable Proof: Blockchain provides a tamper-proof record, making disputes over authenticity or forgery easier to resolve.

• Cost Savings: Automating execution through Runes reduces legal fees and ongoing administrative costs.

• Timely Resolution: Faster settlement benefits all parties by reducing delays in inheritance distribution.

• Global Applicability: Blockchain is ideal for cross-border estates, simplifying legal complexities and ensuring uniformity in asset distribution.

 

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Case Study 12

Preventing Disputes from Lost or Destroyed Wills

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SCENARIO

Elena Kruger, a single mother, created a will to allocate her modest estate among her children. Unfortunately, after her passing, the original signed will was lost during a home relocation, leaving only a photocopy.

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PROBLEM

The absence of the original will created uncertainty, and one of her children contested the validity of the photocopy.

Without the original, proving the photocopy’s authenticity required expensive legal proceedings and expert witness testimony.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Before her passing, Elena had used a blockchain-enabled wills service to hash and inscribe her will as an Ordinal.

Upon her death, the hashed record on the Bitcoin blockchain was matched with the photocopy, proving the document’s validity and that it had not been tampered with.

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OUTCOME

The court accepted the photocopy as valid evidence based on the blockchain record.

Disputes among family members were avoided, saving legal costs and preserving family relationships.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Avoided delays and emotional stress from court battles.

• Lawyers: Reduced the time and cost of handling a contested estate.

• Courts: Spared the need for extensive litigation and forensic examination.

 

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Case Study 13

Protecting Against Fraudulent Executors

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SCENARIO

Michael Dube, a widower, named his nephew as the executor of his estate in his will. However, after Michael’s passing, the nephew altered the will to include himself as a primary beneficiary.

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PROBLEM

The fraudulent will created confusion among the family, requiring expensive legal action to verify the original document.

Verifying the authenticity of the altered will prolonged the distribution of assets.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Michael’s original will was hashed and inscribed as a Rune on the blockchain, and the Rune was encrypted for privacy.

After his passing, the decryption key was shared with the beneficiaries and legal representatives, who verified the blockchain record against the altered will.

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OUTCOME

The fraudulent changes were immediately detected, as the blockchain inscription did not match the altered will.

The rightful will was enforced, protecting the intended distribution of Michael’s assets.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Protected from fraud and received assets as intended.

• Lawyers: Spent less time disputing alterations, relying on immutable blockchain proof.

• Courts: Resolved the fraud case swiftly with transparent evidence.

 

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Case Study 14

Reducing Administrative Delays for Small Estates

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SCENARIO

Thandi Nkosi passed away, leaving a simple will that divided her savings and household items equally between her two children. However, administrative delays in the probate process held up the distribution for over a year.

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PROBLEM

South Africa’s probate process can be slow, even for small estates, leading to unnecessary legal and administrative costs.

The children needed access to funds to cover funeral expenses and other immediate costs.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Thandi’s will was inscribed as an Ordinal, and the executor used a Rune to program automatic triggers for specific conditions:

A portion of the funds was immediately unlocked upon the presentation of a death certificate.

The remainder was disbursed after the probate process, verified through blockchain smart triggers.

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OUTCOME

The children accessed part of the inheritance within days to cover urgent costs.
The probate process was streamlined, as the blockchain record provided proof of the will’s integrity.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Reduced financial stress by accessing funds quickly.

• Lawyers: Streamlined probate, saving time and resources.

• Courts: Less administrative burden in processing small estates.

 

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Case Study 15

Creating Transparency in Complex Family Structures

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SCENARIO

Amara Patel, a successful entrepreneur, had a blended family and wanted to ensure her biological children and stepchildren were treated fairly in her will. She feared disputes might arise over her intentions.

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PROBLEM

Without transparency, mistrust among family members could lead to accusations of favouritism or fraud.

Legal disputes could drag on, eroding family relationships and reducing the value of the estate through legal fees.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Amara’s will was inscribed as an Ordinal, and her intentions were clearly documented in a video statement that was also hashed and inscribed on the blockchain.

The will and video were encrypted, and the decryption key was given to a neutral third-party executor to release upon her death.

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OUTCOME

The blockchain record, combined with the video statement, provided clear and immutable evidence of Amara’s intentions.

Transparency and fairness eliminated potential disputes, and the family respected her wishes.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Respected their inheritance with less emotional conflict.

• Lawyers: Handled a straightforward estate with minimal intervention.

• Courts: Avoided prolonged litigation over family disagreements.

 

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Case Study 16

Handling Charitable Bequests with Accountability

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SCENARIO

Simon Mokoena was a philanthropist who left 20% of his estate to a local charity. However, after his death, his heirs accused the charity of influencing his will unfairly and disputed the validity of the bequest.

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PROBLEM

Disputes over charitable contributions can damage reputations and result in expensive legal battles.

The charity had to prove its claim to the inheritance, which required costly legal representation.

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BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTION

Simon’s will was hashed and inscribed as an Ordinal alongside a letter explaining his decision to include the charity. The blockchain timestamp proved the will’s validity at the time it was signed.

The encrypted Ordinal was shared with the charity, giving them verifiable evidence to present in court.

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OUTCOME

The blockchain record resolved the dispute swiftly, validating Simon’s intent.
The charity received its bequest without prolonged legal battles, and Simon’s legacy was preserved.

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EFFICIENCY GAINS

• Beneficiaries: Heirs received their inheritance without costly delays.

• Lawyers: Avoided lengthy litigation over the charity’s claim.

• Courts: Resolved the case with clear, immutable evidence.