Fossl

Inspiration

We were inspired by how messy inheritance execution can become even after a will is already decided. Families can still face confusion, lack of transparency, and disputes over who is responsible for carrying out the distribution. Instead of trying to replace the legal will-writing process, we focused on improving the execution and distribution layer after a will is finalized. We wanted to explore how secure document storage, role-based access, and tamper-evident records could reduce mistrust and make inheritance distribution more transparent for executors and beneficiaries.

What it does

Our project is a digital will distribution MVP that helps manage inheritance distribution instructions in a secure and transparent way. It allows an executor to manage a will record, assign beneficiaries and allocation percentages, upload encrypted supporting documents to IPFS, and eventually trigger execution-related actions through blockchain-connected flows. Beneficiaries can view their role, allocation, and the current status of the will. The platform focuses on improving clarity, accountability, and security during inheritance distribution rather than creating or replacing a legal will itself.

How we built it

We built the app as a full-stack web platform using Next.js, React, and Tailwind CSS for the frontend experience. For authentication and wallet connection, we used Privy. For blockchain connectivity on the frontend, we used wagmi and viem with the XRPL EVM Sidechain.

On the backend, we used Next.js API routes with Supabase/PostgreSQL for storing will metadata, roles, and status. For secure document handling, we encrypted uploaded files and stored them on IPFS through Pinata. We also explored AI-assisted contract generation using the Google Gemini API, which helped us think through how parser output could be converted into Solidity contract logic. On the smart contract side, we used Solidity to structure will-related functionality such as executor-controlled actions like declaring death and preparing for future execution flows.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was deciding what should happen on-chain versus off-chain. Because inheritance involves legal documents, identity verification, death confirmation, and potentially physical assets, we quickly realized that not everything can or should be handled fully on-chain. Designing a system that still benefits from blockchain while remaining realistic and legally compatible was a major challenge.

Another challenge was figuring out how to represent traditional assets in a blockchain-friendly way. Inheritance is typically based on real-world money and property, while distribution on-chain requires digital assets and wallet infrastructure. We also had to think carefully about role-based access, secure document storage, and how to structure executor actions in a way that could later connect cleanly to contract execution.

We also ran into product-design challenges, especially around how beneficiaries would receive funds, how the executor would trigger distribution steps, and how to keep the app understandable for users who are not familiar with crypto or wallets.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud that we turned a very abstract and difficult problem into a concrete MVP with a clear architecture. We built a working platform with user roles, wallet-connected authentication, secure encrypted document uploads, and a clear executor/beneficiary workflow. We were also able to define a practical direction for blockchain integration instead of forcing unrealistic fully on-chain assumptions.

Another accomplishment was shaping the project into something that feels applicable to the real world. Instead of trying to replace estate law, we focused on improving transparency, accountability, and secure execution. We are also proud of how we connected multiple technologies, including blockchain tools, encrypted storage, database-backed app logic, and AI-assisted contract generation.

What we learned

We learned that many strong blockchain applications tend to be hybrid systems, not purely on-chain systems. We also learned how important it is to define a realistic scope when dealing with legal and financial processes. This project taught us a lot about smart contract design, wallet-based access control, encrypted decentralized storage, and how to think critically about where blockchain actually adds value.

We also learned more about the XRPL EVM Sidechain ecosystem, full-stack Web3 integration, and the challenges of translating real-world workflows into secure digital systems. Beyond the technical side, we learned how much product design matters when building for sensitive use cases involving trust, family, and money.

What's next for Fossl

The next step is to finish the write side of the blockchain flow. Right now, the project already reads wills from the WillRegistry, but creating wills, declaring death, updating records, and marking execution still need to be fully wired into frontend-signed contract transactions.

We also want to improve the parser/generator pipeline so uploaded will documents can help pre-fill structured data and eventually connect more directly to contract generation. Beyond that, we want to make the demo flow smoother, improve executor interactions, and expand the distribution logic beyond placeholders into real on-chain execution steps.