Paper backups and the bound archive: two different jobs
Seed phrase envelopes and Lindenway binders serve separate purposes. Confusing them creates heir anxiety, not security.
A paper backup holds secrets. A Lindenway archive holds instructions and public references. Heirs who open both expecting the same document often contact us after a parent’s passing, holding an envelope and a binder, unsure which to read first.
The envelope’s role
Your seed phrase or recovery words belong in storage you chose — safe, attorney escrow, split custody. Our archivists do not open sealed envelopes during routine sessions.
The binder’s role
The bound archive lists wallet labels, coin entries, public addresses, and the sequence heirs should follow before touching secrets. It answers: which device, which coin, which label — not which words unlock it.
Session practice
When clients bring envelopes to sessions “just in case,” we redirect. Verification happens on powered devices with you entering credentials privately. The archive records outcomes, not inputs.
Heir preparation
Recovery Preparation Briefs include a one-page “read this first” sheet distinguishing envelope storage from binder storage. Clarity here prevents panic-driven mistakes.
If your family has only envelopes and no ledger, Initial Vault Documentation establishes the binder before a brief is meaningful.