Executor Access Guide

You are reading this because someone you know has set up a Dead Man's Switch on YourEstateVault — a secure digital estate vault. Their switch has triggered automatically, which means they have not checked in for a period of time and wanted you to be notified.

This guide will walk you through exactly how to access their estate records, step by step. There are two separate ways to do this — read both sections below and use whichever applies to your situation.

First step: Check the notification email you received from YourEstateVault. It should contain notes left by the vault owner explaining where they stored their login credentials (email and password), their vault PIN (if they set one — a short numeric code used after logging in), and their Executor Pack file (an encrypted offline .html file, if they created one). Keep that email open as you follow the steps below.

The Two Ways to Access the Vault

YourEstateVault offers two completely separate access methods. They are independent of each other — the passwords and files for each method are different. You only need one of these methods to access the estate records.

Method A — Online

Log in to the vault owner's YourEstateVault account on the website. Requires an internet connection.

Their YourEstateVault email + password

Their PIN (only if they set one)

→ See Option A below for step-by-step instructions

Method B — Offline File

Open an encrypted HTML file the vault owner created and stored in advance. Works without internet.

The Executor Pack .html file

A separate passphrase (not the login password)

→ See Option B below for step-by-step instructions

Important — the passwords for each method are completely different

The YourEstateVault login password (Method A) and the Executor Pack passphrase (Method B) are two entirely separate passwords. Knowing one does not help you with the other. The vault PIN (if set) is a third separate code, only needed after logging in online (Method A). Check the notification email for notes on where each was stored.

Option A — Access Online via YourEstateVault Account

Requires: their email + password (+ PIN if they set one) · Needs internet

This is the primary access method. When you log in with the vault owner's credentials, all their estate records are immediately available — personal identity, financial assets, legal documents, final wishes, and more. The data is stored securely on YourEstateVault's servers and decrypts automatically once you are logged in.

1
Check the notification email first
Before you start, re-read the notification email you received from YourEstateVault. It should contain a note from the vault owner saying where they stored their login credentials — for example: "Sealed envelope with my solicitor" or "In my LastPass shared folder". Locate those credentials before proceeding.
2
Open a web browser on any device
Use any modern browser — Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari. You can use a laptop, desktop, tablet, or phone. You will need an internet connection.
3
Go to yourestatevault.co.uk
Type yourestatevault.co.uk directly into the browser address bar at the top of the screen — do not search for it in Google, as search results may show different links. Press Enter to load the page.
4
Click "Sign in"
On the YourEstateVault homepage, click the "Sign in" button. This will take you to the login page.
5
Enter the vault owner's email address and password
Enter the email address the vault owner used to register with YourEstateVault, and their password. These are the credentials they recorded in the notification email. Do not use your own email address.
6
Enter the vault PIN if prompted (Key 2)
After logging in, you may see a PIN lock screen. If so, enter the vault owner's PIN — a short numeric code they set to add an extra layer of security. The PIN is different from their login password. If you are not shown a PIN screen, they did not set one and you can skip this step. The notification email should say whether a PIN was set and where it is stored.
7
You are in — navigate the vault
Once logged in, you will see the vault dashboard. Use the menu on the left to access each section: Personal Identity, Legal Documents, Financial Assets, Pensions & Insurance, Property & Liabilities, Digital Assets, Final Wishes, Personal Messages, and more.

Do not reset the password unless absolutely necessary

If you reset the vault owner's password, their account credentials will change permanently. Only do this as a last resort and only if you are certain they have passed away and you are the authorised executor. If you need help, contact our support team at [email protected] before resetting anything.

Option B — Open the Executor Pack (Offline HTML File)

Requires: the .html file + a separate passphrase · No internet needed

The vault owner may have created an Executor Pack — a self-contained encrypted file containing a snapshot of their estate records. This file works entirely offline: you open it in any web browser, enter a passphrase, and the records are displayed. No account, no internet, no app required.

The Executor Pack passphrase is NOT the same as the login password

The passphrase for the Executor Pack file is a completely separate password that the vault owner set specifically when they created this file. It is not their YourEstateVault login password, and it is not their PIN. It is a unique passphrase they chose just for this file. The notification email should say where they stored it.

1
Check the notification email for the file location
The notification email should contain a note from the vault owner saying where they stored the Executor Pack file — for example: "USB drive in my desk drawer, labelled Executor", or "Shared with you via Google Drive", or "Held by my solicitor". Locate the file before proceeding.
2
Find the Executor Pack file
The file is named something like yourestatevault-executorpack-YYYY-MM-DD.html. It may be on a USB drive, in cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox), in an email attachment, or held by a solicitor. The notification email should tell you exactly where to look.
3
Open the file in a web browser
Once you have the file, double-click it to open it, or right-click and choose Open with → your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari). The file will open in your browser. No internet connection is needed — the file is completely self-contained.
4
Enter the Executor Pack passphrase
A password prompt will appear in the browser. Enter the Executor Pack passphrase — the separate passphrase the vault owner set when they created this file. This is not their login password and not their PIN. The notification email should say where this passphrase is stored — for example: "Written on the same envelope as my login credentials" or "Stored with my solicitor".
5
Access the estate records
Once the correct passphrase is entered, the file will decrypt and display the vault owner's estate records. You can read, print, or save the information from your browser. The file contains a snapshot of the vault at the time it was last exported — it may not include changes made after that date.

The Executor Pack is encrypted with AES-256-GCM — the same standard used by banks and governments. Without the correct passphrase it cannot be opened, which protects the vault owner's data from unauthorised access.

Frequently Asked Questions

When to Involve a Probate Solicitor

ENGLAND & WALES

Accessing this vault is only one part of your role as executor. Depending on the size and complexity of the estate, you may need to involve a probate solicitor to handle the legal administration. You are not required to use a solicitor, but it is strongly recommended for estates with property, significant assets, or any complexity.

Do you need a Grant of Probate?

A Grant of Probate is the legal document that gives you authority to deal with the deceased's estate. Most banks, building societies, and the Land Registry will require it before releasing assets or transferring property.

You likely need probate if:

• The estate includes property or land
• Bank accounts hold more than ~£50,000
• There are stocks, shares, or investments
• There is a valid Will naming you as executor

You may not need probate if:

• All assets were jointly owned
• The estate is very small (under ~£10,000)
• All assets pass automatically (e.g. joint tenancy)
• Assets were held in trust

What a probate solicitor typically does

1

Validates the Will

Confirms the Will is legally valid and that you are the named executor.

2

Applies for Grant of Probate

Prepares and submits the probate application to HMCTS on your behalf.

3

Notifies HMRC

Completes the Inheritance Tax return (IHT400 or IHT205) and arranges payment if tax is due.

4

Collects and values assets

Contacts banks, pension providers, insurers, and the Land Registry to value and collect the estate.

5

Pays debts and liabilities

Settles outstanding debts, utility bills, and any funeral costs from the estate.

6

Distributes the estate

Transfers assets to beneficiaries in accordance with the Will, and prepares estate accounts.

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is different from probate. An LPA is used while the person is still alive but lacks mental capacity. If the vault owner had an LPA registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, the named attorney (not the executor) handles decisions during their lifetime. Probate only applies after death.

If you are unsure whether an LPA exists, check the vault owner's Legal Documents section or contact their solicitor.

What if there is no valid Will?

If the vault owner died without a valid Will (known as dying intestate), the estate is distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy under the Administration of Estates Act 1925. These rules set a fixed order of priority — spouse or civil partner first, then children, then other relatives. Unmarried partners, step-children, and close friends receive nothing under intestacy, regardless of the deceased's wishes.

Without a Will, you are not automatically the executor. Instead, the person who applies to administer the estate is called an administrator, and they must apply for Letters of Administration(rather than a Grant of Probate) from the Probate Registry. The right to apply follows the same priority order as the Rules of Intestacy.

Key differences from probate:

• Apply for Letters of Administration, not Grant of Probate
• The estate is split by the Rules of Intestacy, not a Will
• A solicitor is strongly recommended — intestacy disputes are common

Who inherits under intestacy (England & Wales):

• 1st: Spouse / civil partner (and children if estate >£322,000)
• 2nd: Children (equally, including adopted)
• 3rd: Parents, then siblings, then grandparents
• Unmarried partners and step-children receive nothing

If you are in this situation, contact a probate solicitor immediately. The GOV.UK website also has a free intestacy guide explaining exactly who inherits and in what order.

Find a probate solicitor

The Law Society's solicitor finder can help you locate a regulated probate solicitor near you.

Law Society

Still Need Help?

If you have followed the steps above and are still unable to access the vault, we are here to help. Our support team can verify your identity as the named executor and assist with access.

Email Support

[email protected]

We aim to respond within 24 hours

Website

yourestatevault.co.uk

Sign in or create an account

Solicitor / Next of Kin

They may hold a copy of the credentials or Executor Pack

When contacting support, please include: the name of the vault owner, the email address the notification was sent to, and a brief description of the issue. We will ask you to verify your identity as the named executor before providing any assistance.