Navigating Estate Planning in the Digital Age
Estate planning traditionally focused on physical assets, but today, digital property plays an equally vital role. My perspective on this evolved when I helped a colleague recover their late father’s cherished playlists from an account they lost access to. That experience underscored how intellectual property—especially digital assets—is becoming an essential consideration in preserving one’s legacy.
Recognizing the complexities of modern estate planning, I developed an AI-powered chatbot designed to provide individuals with foundational guidance on Washington trusts and estates—helping them better understand their options before deciding to consult with an attorney.
I also believe that as digital ownership evolves, self-custodial digital assets like Bitcoin will play an increasingly significant role in estate planning, offering individuals greater control over their wealth and ensuring long-term financial security across generations if they learn how to use this new and emerging technology.
Chat with Our Washington Estate Planning Chatbot
My Thoughts on Bitcoin and other Digital Assets
As a natural extension of my intellectual property practice, I have developed a specialized interest in cryptographic assets, which are themselves a novel form of intellectual propery. Given my economics background I have a particular interest in self-custodied Bitcoin for long-term savings and inheritance planning.
I was first introduced to Bitcoin when it was trading around $1—back when it was know for being used, among other things, to purchase illicit goods on The Silk Road. Like most people (and as a broke college student), I didn’t buy any. But over time, my legal practice brought me into contact with an early Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) startup, and that exposure deepened my interest in the crypto space.
Since then, I’ve continued to follow the development of Blockchain based tools. For example, I currently host the AI tools on this site using a DePin network I contribute to.
One of the turning points in my Bitcoin journey was following the legal battle over Bitcoin ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds traking the price of BTC), culminating in the 2023 DC Circuit oral arguments . After the U.S. government finally approved spot BTC ETFs, I dove deeper into the Bitcoin monetary thesis.
If you're new to the subject, I recommend starting with The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous and/or this short video presentation.
Why I Believe Bitcoin Matters
Bitcoin addresses systemic problems created by inflationary monetary policy:
- Housing affordability: Housing as an investment inflates prices beyond their utility value.
- Rampant speculation: Without sound money, people are forced into riskier markets.
- Food degradation: Shrinkflation and cost-cutting erode food quality.
- Elder poverty: Inflation eats fixed incomes and inflates property taxes.
Bitcoin, with a capped supply and decreasing issuance, just dropped below gold's inflation rate in 2024, and by 2034, 99% of all BTC will have been mined. It is still in its distribution phase. If Bitcoin is here to stay—and I believe it is—then more people need secure ways to hold it safely.
Why Self-Custody Matters
Owning BTC via ETFs or custodians sacrifices many of its core advantages:
- Capital controls resistance: BTC flows freely across borders.
- Future financial products: Self-custody enables participation in Bitcoin-based DeFi.
- Lower cost: No custody fees, and full control of your share of the network.
- Philanthropy and mission control: Build directly on BTC without intermediaries.
Self-custody, however, comes with responsibility. Loss, theft, or poor planning can be disastrous.
I’ve studied the options—from non-probate inheritance tools, to multi-signature wallets for organizations, to individual long-term cold storage strategies. Whether you're an individual saver, a non-profit board member, or a tech-savvy family stewarding generational wealth, I can help you craft a resilient custody plan.
Book a Consultation
If you have general estate planning needs, I’m happy to refer you to a trusted colleague such as Ruth Apahidean
If you're interested in a consultation about Bitcoin self-custody, and safeguarding digital wealth for the next generation, reach out below for a 15-minute introductory session.
Contact Us
You can reach Mitchell directly by email at west@lowegrahamjones.com or using the form below.