What Is a Digital Estate?
Your digital estate includes everything you own or manage online: email accounts, social media profiles, cloud storage, online banking, subscription services, cryptocurrency wallets, and even digital photos and documents. Just like physical possessions, these digital assets need a plan for what happens to them when you pass away or become unable to manage them yourself.
Without a plan, your loved ones may struggle to access important accounts, lose valuable digital files, or continue paying for subscriptions you no longer need.
Taking Inventory
The first step is creating a comprehensive list of your digital assets. Include:
- Email accounts: These are often the key to accessing other services through password resets.
- Financial accounts: Online banking, investment platforms, cryptocurrency wallets, and payment services.
- Social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms where you have a presence.
- Subscriptions: Streaming services, software licenses, and recurring memberships.
- Cloud storage: Photos, documents, and files stored in services like Google Drive or iCloud.
- Domains and websites: If you own any web domains or maintain personal websites.
Storing Your Information Safely
You will need to record login details or access instructions for each account. A password manager is an excellent tool for this. You can share access to your password manager vault with a trusted person, or include instructions in a sealed document stored with your will.
Never leave passwords written on sticky notes or in unsecured documents on your computer.
Using Platform Tools
Several major platforms offer built-in legacy tools:
- Google Inactive Account Manager: Lets you decide what happens to your Google data after a period of inactivity.
- Facebook Legacy Contact: Allows you to choose someone to manage your profile after you pass away.
- Apple Digital Legacy: Lets you designate people who can access your Apple account and data.
Legal Considerations
Include your digital estate in your legal will or power of attorney. Laws regarding digital assets vary by location, so consider consulting with a legal professional who understands digital estate planning. Many jurisdictions now have specific laws that govern access to digital accounts after someone passes away.
Steps to Get Started
- Create an inventory of all your online accounts and digital assets.
- Set up a password manager and share access instructions with a trusted person.
- Configure legacy settings on platforms that offer them.
- Include digital asset instructions in your legal documents.
- Review and update your plan annually as accounts change.
Planning for your digital legacy may feel uncomfortable, but it is a thoughtful gift to your loved ones. A little preparation now can prevent confusion and heartache later.
