Digital Assets and Estate Planning: 10 Things to Organize
When people think about estate planning, they usually picture legal documents. But increasingly, important parts of life now exist online. These assets can matter greatly to your family. Even when a plan is otherwise thoughtful, loved ones may still have trouble locating what exists, understanding what matters, or figuring out how to access it when needed. Here are 10 kinds of digital assets you would likely want your estate plan to address.
1) Email accounts
These are often the starting point for everything else. They may contain bills, statements, password resets, account alerts, and important personal or financial information. If a trusted person cannot identify or access the right email account, other recovery steps may become harder.
2) Online banking access
Even when your family knows a bank account exists, online access may still matter. It can help them understand autopay activity, linked accounts, recent transactions, and how the account is managed day to day.
3) Brokerage or investment portals
Many investment accounts are paperless. Statements, tax documents, beneficiary information, and communication history may live primarily inside an online portal.
4) Password managers
A password manager can be one of the most useful tools in a household. It can also become a major roadblock if no trusted person knows it exists or how to locate the right access instructions.
5) Cloud storage accounts
Important records are often stored in cloud platforms rather than in a desk drawer. That may include scanned legal documents, tax returns, insurance records, or shared family files.
6) Digital photos and videos
For many families, these files carry priceless emotional value. A digital plan can make it easier for the people you trust to find, preserve, cherish, and share them when the time comes.
7) Social media accounts
These accounts often carry both practical and emotional value. With clear instructions, loved ones can make thoughtful decisions about whether an account should be memorialized, preserved, or closed.
8) Two-factor authentication tools
Many accounts now rely on text messages, authentication apps, or backup codes. That improves security, but it can also make access more difficult if no one understands how verification is set up. In some cases, making sure a trusted person can locate your smartphone PIN or access instructions may help remove unnecessary roadblocks later.
9) Cryptocurrency or other digital holdings
These assets often require especially clear records. Because they may not be easy for loved ones or advisors to locate and access, it is important to document what exists, where it is held, and what instructions apply. That can make the difference between an asset that is manageable and one that is effectively lost.
10) Online-only records and personal files
Some families keep important instructions, notes, household information, or personal records entirely online. When those materials are organized and discoverable, they can save loved ones time, stress, and uncertainty.
A good starting point is to list your key digital accounts, note where secure access information is kept and clear instructions in a Digital Asset Summary. If you would like an example, existing clients are welcome to contact our office and ask for our Digital Asset Summary resource.
Blog posts are general educational information, not a substitute for legal advice. If you are new to Shafae Law, you are welcome to learn more about our services and contact us. For more practical estate planning tips, subscribe to our newsletter.