What Happens to Your Ledger Hardware Wallet Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Recovery
Seed phrase
PIN
3 wrong = wipe
Value
Potentially huge
Step-by-Step Guide
Locate the physical Ledger device
Find the Ledger Nano S/X/S Plus. Location should be documented in vault.
Locate seed phrase backup
The 24-word seed phrase is the recovery key. It should be on a metal plate or paper in a secure location.
Warning: Do NOT guess the PIN — 3 wrong attempts wipes the device
If PIN is known, access directly
Enter PIN on device, open Ledger Live app on computer to see all balances.
If PIN unknown, restore with seed phrase
Buy a new Ledger, restore using the seed phrase during setup.
Document Now Checklist
- Ledger device physical location
- Seed phrase storage location
- PIN location if documented
- Which cryptocurrencies are stored
Tax and access note: Crypto receives a step-up in basis at death — get date-of-death valuations BEFORE selling anything. If the family cannot access the assets, professional supervised recovery is available through our partnership with The Crypto Accountant. Learn more →
Save this to your vault
When you document your accounts in Passed Plan, your family gets a personalized action plan — with only the guides that apply to them, in the right order, with your notes attached.
Start your vault — free for 30 daysLast verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Ledger Hardware Wallet. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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