DEPI — Digital Estate Planning Institute

DEPI Professional Certifications

DEPI professional certifications establish globally recognized credentials for individuals working in the fields of digital estate planning, digital asset custody, and digital continuity.

Each certification is grounded in the DEPI Standards Framework and is designed to validate not only knowledge, but judgment, ethical awareness, and practical competence in managing digital estates and post-life digital assets.

DEPI certifications are:

  • Vendor-independent
  • Standards-aligned
  • Professionally governed
  • Internationally applicable

They are intended for practitioners operating at the intersection of law, technology, fiduciary responsibility, and human continuity.

Certification Principles

All DEPI certifications share common principles:

  • Standards-First
    Certifications are derived directly from DEPI Standards, not proprietary curricula.
  • Ethical Accountability
    Credential holders are bound by a formal Code of Conduct.
  • Practical Relevance
    Assessments emphasize real-world scenarios, not rote memorization.
  • Ongoing Competence
    Certifications require renewal and continuing education.

Certifications Available

CDEP — Certified Digital Estate Planner

Overview

The Certified Digital Estate Planner (CDEP) credential recognizes professionals qualified to design, document, and advise on comprehensive digital estate continuity strategies for individuals and families.

CDEPs bridge traditional estate planning with modern digital realities, ensuring digital assets, accounts, credentials, and digital identities are addressed coherently and responsibly.

Who This Certification Is For

  • Estate planning attorneys
  • Trust and estate advisors
  • Wealth managers and private client advisors
  • Fiduciaries and trustees
  • Family office professionals

Core Competencies

CDEP holders demonstrate proficiency in:

  • Digital asset identification and classification
  • Digital access planning and authorization models
  • Integration of digital assets into estate documents
  • Cross-border digital estate considerations
  • Ethical handling of digital remains and legacy data
  • Client education and continuity planning

Assessment & Requirements

  • Eligibility screening
  • Formal assessment aligned to DEPI Standard domains
  • Scenario-based evaluation
  • Agreement to DEPI Code of Conduct
  • Continuing education for renewal

Benefits of Certification

  • Use of the CDEP designation
  • Public listing in the DEPI professional registry
  • Early access to standards updates
  • Participation in DEPI working groups

Professional credibility in a rapidly emerging fieldether legal, technical, fiduciary, and policy perspectives to define how digital estates should work, not just how they currently do.

DAC — Digital Asset Custodian

Overview

The Digital Asset Custodian (DAC) certification recognizes professionals responsible for the custody, safeguarding, and controlled access of digital assets and credentials.

This credential focuses on operational, technical, and governance responsibilities rather than legal advisory roles.

Who This Certification Is For

  • Custodial service providers
  • Platform operators
  • Infrastructure and security professionals
  • Trust company operations teams
  • Digital vault and custody specialists

Core Competencies

DAC holders demonstrate proficiency in:

  • Custodial vs non-custodial models
  • Key management and access controls
  • Secure recovery and escalation procedures
  • Auditability and logging
  • Incident response and continuity events
  • Compliance alignment with fiduciary frameworks

Assessment & Requirements

  • Eligibility review
  • Technical and governance-based assessment
  • Practical custody scenarios
  • Adherence to DEPI custody and ethics requirements
  • Ongoing renewal and compliance confirmation

Benefits of Certification

  • Use of the DAC designation
  • Recognition of custody competence
  • Alignment with DEPI accreditation standards
  • Enhanced trust with partners and clients

DCP — Digital Continuity Professional

Overview

The Digital Continuity Professional (DCP) certification recognizes individuals who support the operational, emotional, and technical continuity of digital lives before and after death or incapacity.

This role often complements legal and custodial professionals by focusing on execution, coordination, and continuity support.

Who This Certification Is For

  • Digital legacy coordinators
  • End-of-life planning professionals
  • Family support specialists
  • Platform onboarding and continuity teams
  • Consultants supporting digital transitions

Core Competencies

DCP holders demonstrate proficiency in:

  • Continuity workflows and trigger events
  • Coordination between stakeholders
  • Post-life digital execution processes
  • Ethical handling of sensitive data
  • Documentation and process integrity
  • Human-centered continuity practices

Assessment & Requirements

  • Eligibility screening
  • Scenario-based assessment
  • Ethics and continuity evaluation
  • Agreement to DEPI Code of Conduct
  • Periodic renewal

Benefits of Certification

  • Use of the DCP designation
  • Recognition as a continuity specialist
  • Inclusion in DEPI professional listings
  • Access to DEPI research and events

Common Certification Policies

Code of Conduct

All DEPI certification holders must adhere to a Code of Conduct emphasizing:

  • Integrity and independence
  • Client dignity and consent
  • Confidentiality and security
  • Transparency and accountability
  • Avoidance of conflicts of interest

Violations may result in suspension or revocation.

Renewal & Continuing Education

DEPI certifications are not lifetime credentials.

Renewal requires:

  • Ongoing compliance with ethical requirements
  • Periodic reassessment or attestation
  • Continuing education aligned with standards updates