In an example, a DHN (DHN) is provided for enabling grantees to access digitally-controlled assets of a principal. The principal (level 0) establishes a digital testament (DT), identifying one or more grantees on levels 1-n. Each grantee receives a digital heritage certificate (DHC), which may be based on the PKI certificate definition. The DHC includes a “PREDECESSORS” field, identifying one or more predecessor certificates that must be revoked before the DHC is valid. All grantee DHCs have the principal's level 0, DHC as a predecessor certificate. Level n certificates may also be valid only if all certificates at level n−1, have been revoked. In practice, a DHC may be revoked when a user of the certificate passes away, so that nth generation grantees inherit only when generation n−1, has passed away.
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