Executor Help Guide

The vault owner set up a Dead Man’s Switch — an automatic check-in system. If they miss their check-in deadline, YourEstateVault sends you this notification so you can access their estate records when needed.

Important: receiving this email does not necessarily mean the vault owner has passed away. They may have simply forgotten to check in, been travelling, or been unwell. If you are unsure, try to contact them directly before taking any action.

The notification email you received contains a “Verify Identity & Get Passphrase” button. This is a secure, single-use link that lets you prove your identity before the passphrase is revealed. Follow these steps:

1. 1

   Click the verification button in the email

   Look for the green button labelled “Verify Identity & Get Passphrase” in the notification email. Click it to open the verification page.
2. 2

   Confirm your name and email address

   Enter your full name and the email address the notification was sent to. These must match the details the vault owner recorded.
3. 3

   Enter the one-time passcode

   A 6-digit passcode will be sent to your email inbox. Enter it on the verification page. You have 5 attempts before the link is locked.
4. 4

   Copy the passphrase

   Once verified, the passphrase is displayed on screen. Copy it and keep it safe — you will need it to open the Executor Pack file in the next step. The link cannot be used again.

The Executor Pack is a self-contained encrypted HTML file. It works in any web browser with no internet connection required — you do not need a YourEstateVault account to open it.

1. 1

   Locate the Executor Pack file

   The vault owner should have given you the file directly, stored it on a USB drive, sent it by email, or left it with their solicitor. Check the notification email for any notes about where it is stored.
2. 2

   Open the file in a web browser

   Double-click the .html file to open it in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. No internet connection is needed.
3. 3

   Enter the passphrase

   When prompted, enter the passphrase you retrieved in Section 2. The file will decrypt and display all the vault owner's estate records.
4. 4

   Review and print if needed

   You can browse all sections of the Executor Pack on screen. Use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P / Cmd+P) to print a hard copy if needed.

If you have the vault owner’s YourEstateVault login credentials (email and password), you can also access their vault online at yourestatevault.co.uk. This gives you access to the same records as the Executor Pack, plus any updates made after the last export.

The vault owner should have recorded where their login credentials are stored — for example, in a sealed envelope with their solicitor, in a password manager, or in a written note with their Will. Check the Executor Pack for details.

Verification links expire after the period configured by the vault owner (7, 30, or 90 days). If your link has expired, you have the following options:

• Contact the vault owner’s solicitor or next of kin — they may have a copy of the Executor Pack passphrase or the login credentials.
• Contact YourEstateVault support — email [email protected] with proof of your identity as the named executor (e.g. a copy of the Will or Grant of Probate). We will verify your identity and issue a new verification link.
• If the vault owner is still alive — ask them to log in to YourEstateVault and resend the verification link from their Dead Man’s Switch settings.