RootInherit

RootInherit is a blockchain-based inheritance management system built on Rootstock (RSK). It allows users to securely create inheritance plans, add beneficiaries, and set customizable timeout periods. If the owner becomes inactive, assets are automatically distributed to beneficiaries through smart contracts, ensuring trustless and transparent transfers. The system includes a modern Next.js frontend, wallet integration, and a backend powered by Node.js and Prisma, making it user-friendly and reliable.

RootInherit was built as a full-stack dApp on the Rootstock (RSK) blockchain. The smart contracts were written in Solidity and deployed using Hardhat, with Ethers.js handling on-chain interactions. We leveraged the RSK Testnet (Chain ID 31) for deployment and debugging, taking advantage of its Bitcoin merge-mined security model.

The frontend was developed with Next.js 14 and TypeScript, styled using Tailwind CSS and shadcn/ui for a responsive, modern interface. Wallet connectivity was integrated directly into the frontend, enabling users to easily create inheritance plans and manage beneficiaries through a seamless UI.

The backend was built in Node.js with Prisma as the ORM for structured data handling. It primarily manages off-chain metadata, user sessions, and provides an API layer for the frontend to interact with smart contracts more efficiently.

For testing, we used the Hardhat Test Suite with gas reporting enabled, ensuring contract efficiency and security. Deployment scripts were automated to streamline contract migration across local and testnet environments.

A notable hacky solution was the “protocol protection” mechanism, where 50% of assets are locked as a protocol fee to prevent malicious self-distribution exploits. Implementing automatic fund release required careful timeout logic and heartbeat resets, which we solved with Solidity timers and owner-triggered keep-alive functions.

Partner technologies like RSK made the project feasible by providing an EVM-compatible, Bitcoin-secured chain with low fees and fast confirmations, which directly benefits inheritance use cases.