Domain Name Inheritance and Estate Planning

Domain name inheritance refers to the transmission of domain registrations upon the owner's death, which presents unique challenges because domains are contractual rights held with a [[registrar]] rather than traditional tangible property. Most registrar agreements allow transfer to an heir upon submission of a death certificate and proof of entitlement, but the process varies widely between registrars and can be lengthy. Premium domains can be high-value estate assets requiring valuation and inclusion in wills, trusts, or corporate succession plans. Without explicit estate planning, domains may expire during probate if no authorized person can manage renewals, resulting in loss of the asset. Best practices include naming a domain-specific executor, using a corporate entity for high-value domains under [[domain-contract-law]], and documenting credentials in estate documents.