Digital estate planning

Inventories digital assets, access info, handling after death. 47 states recognize digital property.

10 steps across 1 sections

1. Steps Guide

  • Digital asset inventory — Email, social, banking, crypto, cloud
  • Document access — Password manager emergency access (not will)
  • Appoint digital executor — Tech-savvy, trustworthy
  • Specify wishes per account — Delete, memorialize, transfer
  • Set up legacy contacts — Facebook, Google, Apple
  • Legal documents — Reference plan in will without passwords
  • Cryptocurrency — Wallets, seed phrases (lost forever without)
  • Digital purchases — Note licenses (mostly non-transferable)
  • Business accounts — Domains, hosting, social
  • Secure storage — Encrypted USB, manager vault, attorney

Common Mistakes

  • Passwords in will (public)
  • Undocumented crypto (lost)
  • Subscriptions still charging
  • No legacy features set
  • Assuming heirs can access

Pro Tips

  • Managers with emergency access simplify this
  • Google Inactive Account Manager auto-shares
  • Facebook Legacy Contact
  • Review platform death policies
  • Master doc of what exists

Sources

Related Checklists