Digital Estate Planning Guide
Your digital life—email, social media, photos, subscriptions, and online accounts—is part of your legacy. Without a plan, family members may not know what you have or how to access it. This guide explains what counts as a digital asset, how to choose a digital executor, and how to store instructions securely.
What Counts as a Digital Asset
Digital assets include any account or file that exists online or on a device. Common examples include email and social media, photos and videos in the cloud, streaming and subscription accounts, domain names and websites, cryptocurrency or other digital holdings, and documents stored in cloud storage or on your computer.
Listing what you have and where it lives is the first step. You don't need to store passwords in one place; instead, record account types and locations so your executor or family knows where to look.
Choosing a Digital Executor
A digital executor is someone you authorize to access or close accounts after you're gone. Some platforms let you name a legacy contact; others require a court order or estate documents. Document your wishes and keep a list of which services offer legacy or memorialization options so your family knows what's possible.
Storing Instructions Securely
Keep a single, secure place where you describe which accounts exist, who should have access, and any specific wishes (e.g., close account, download data, memorialize). Update this list when you open or close accounts. Your family shouldn't have to guess—or break the rules—to carry out your wishes.
Organize Your Digital Legacy
FamilyKeep helps you organize documents, accounts, and instructions so your family isn't left scrambling during an emergency.
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