Before you start
Activate the Legacy Delivery Protocol only when the minimum release path is ready: one adult beneficiary, one Continuity Guardian and a check-in cadence you are comfortable with. Activation starts the delayed check-in rules. It does not mean your instructions, documents, Safebox, Held Away records or Recovery Key are complete.
Detailed steps
Open Legacy Plan > Delivery Protocol
Open Delivery Protocol from Legacy Plan. Read the explanation before setup. This workflow is delayed release: Capitelist checks on you first, then escalates only after the inactivity window and verification steps. It is not instant access for your contacts.
Choose the no-login window
Select how long Capitelist should wait after no login before it starts life-check messages. Sixty days is the recommended balance in the current UI. Choose a shorter window only if you accept more chance of false alarms. Choose a longer window if avoiding interruption matters more than recovery speed.
Confirm the beneficiary
Review the saved beneficiary. This person is the primary recipient if delayed verification completes. Confirm the name, email, phone and adult status. If any detail is stale, go back to Trusted Contacts or edit it here before continuing.
Confirm the Continuity Guardian
Review the saved Continuity Guardian. This person is the backup helper if the beneficiary does not respond or needs help. They are not a second beneficiary and they do not automatically receive the recovery package.
Review activation readiness and portfolio inventory
Read the Review step carefully. The contact counts show whether activation can proceed. The portfolio inventory option controls whether the verified beneficiary can receive the visible dashboard inventory. Held Away, Safebox, documents, wallets, private notes and recovery instructions remain protected and require the encrypted release flow.
Activate and check Armed status
Choose Activate Legacy Plan only when the setup reflects your real wishes. After activation, confirm the protocol shows Armed, the check-in window is correct, the beneficiary count is 1 and the Continuity Guardian count is 1. Owner SMS may show Not configured until you add and verify your phone in Settings.
Read the timeline before you need it
The timeline shows when Capitelist sends life-check emails, when SMS may be added, when beneficiary verification starts and when the Continuity Guardian is escalated. Do not click Send test to me unless you understand what test message will be sent.
Know how to edit or cancel the protocol
Use Edit protocol when the cadence, contacts or inventory setting changes. Use Cancel protocol when you want to stop inactivity check-ins and delayed release. Canceling the protocol does not delete contacts, documents, instructions, Safebox records, Held Away entries or encrypted Legacy data.
Field guide
The current status of Legacy Delivery.
Armed means the delayed check-in rules are active.How long Capitelist waits after no login before life-checks begin.
Use a window you can tolerate during normal travel, illness or busy periods.The number of primary recipients configured for the release path.
Activation requires exactly one adult beneficiary.The number of backup helpers configured for escalation.
Activation requires exactly one Continuity Guardian.Whether visible dashboard inventory can be included after verification.
Turn it off if you only want the encrypted Legacy package released.Whether SMS is ready as an additional proof-of-life channel.
Manage phone in Settings if you want SMS as a second channel.The scheduled escalation path after the inactivity window.
Read the beneficiary and guardian escalation dates before relying on the setup.A temporary pause for check-ins while you are deliberately offline.
Use it before long travel or known offline periods; normal login still resets the timer.Decision rules
What it adds
- Creates a defined path for essential information to reach trusted people if the owner is unreachable.
- Combines contacts, documents, instructions and recovery controls into one operating protocol.
- Makes the readiness state visible instead of relying on memory.
What it does not do
- It is not a will, trustee appointment, probate process or legal transfer.
- Capitelist cannot deliver what has not been configured or recover keys that are missing.
- Email/SMS delivery can fail if contact details or providers are misconfigured.
Common mistakes
What to check
- Do not activate until sensitive instructions are written clearly enough for a non-expert.
- Keep travel mode and inactivity settings realistic.
- Use test emails only when you know what will be sent and to whom.
- Tell trusted people what to expect so they do not ignore recovery messages.
Activating because the button is enabled, even though instructions and documents are not useful yet.
Choosing too short an inactivity window and creating false alarms.
Leaving Owner SMS unconfigured when you expect SMS to be part of proof-of-life.
Assuming portfolio inventory includes Held Away, Safebox, private notes or encrypted documents.
Not telling your beneficiary and Continuity Guardian what Capitelist is.
Clicking Send test to me casually without understanding what message will be sent.
Canceling the protocol and assuming saved contacts or encrypted records were deleted.
After you save
- Check the active dashboard and confirm the status says Armed.
- Read the timeline end to end.
- Open Trusted Contacts again if either person needs correction.
- Open Instructions and Documents so the release package is understandable.
- Confirm Recovery Key setup before relying on encrypted Legacy records.
- Use Travel mode before planned offline periods.
- Review the protocol after major life, family, advisor or phone-number changes.