Multisig Configurations We Document Most Often in Korean Estates

After six years of custody documentation work centred in Gwangju, certain multisig patterns recur. This note summarises what we see — not as advice on which configuration to choose, but as context for trustees inheriting arrangements they did not design.

2-of-3 with geographic spread

The most common configuration: three signers, two required, located in different cities. Typically one signer in Gwangju or Seoul, one elsewhere in Korea, one abroad (Vancouver, Sydney, and Los Angeles appear frequently in our files).

Documentation challenge: the abroad signer may never visit the on-site inventory. We conduct a separate video-verified session where they confirm device details via the screen of a co-signer present on-site.

3-of-5 family arrangements

Less common but growing: five family members as signers, three required. Often emerging from a desire to prevent any two siblings from acting unilaterally.

Documentation challenge: the signer role matrix becomes complex quickly. We use colour-coded pages — one colour per signer — so the binder remains navigable at five participants.

2-of-2 spousal arrangements

Two signers, both required. Simple in structure but fragile in practice: if one spouse becomes incapacitated, both keys are needed and only one signer can act.

Documentation challenge: recovery paths must address incapacity explicitly. We write a separate contingency for “Signer A unable to participate” that does not assume a third key exists — because in 2-of-2, it does not.

Single signer with documented successor

Not technically multisig, but we document these when a trustee holds a single hardware wallet and the trust names a successor who will assume a newly created 1-of-1 arrangement.

Documentation challenge: the handover checklist must include a procedure for the successor to verify the device and confirm they accept sole custody — a different legal posture from joining an existing multisig.

Device brands in our files

Among hardware wallets we have inventoried in Korean estates: Ledger (Nano S and Nano X most common), Coldcard (Mk3 and Mk4), Trezor (Model One and Model T), and occasionally BitBox02. Paper backups appear in roughly 60% of engagements, usually in bank safety deposit boxes.

We document what exists. We do not recommend brands or configurations — that is outside our scope.

For documentation of your specific arrangement, request a quote or review our Shared Custody Documentation Package.