Digital assets—such as email accounts, social media profiles, online photos, and financial accounts—do not automatically disappear when someone dies, and without planning, they can be difficult for loved ones to access or manage.
From family photos stored in the cloud to online banking and social media accounts, digital assets have become an increasingly important part of estate planning and estate administration.
What Are Digital Assets?
Digital assets can include a wide range of online accounts and electronic property, such as:
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Email accounts
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Social media profiles
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Online photo and video storage
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Financial and investment accounts
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Online subscriptions
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Digital business assets
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Cryptocurrencies and digital wallets
Some digital assets have financial value, while others have significant sentimental value.
Can Family Members Access Digital Accounts After Death?
Not always. Access to digital accounts is often governed by:
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Federal and state privacy laws
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User agreements with online platforms
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The provider’s internal policies
Without proper authorization, loved ones may be locked out—even if they know the password. In many cases, the personal representative is responsible for identifying and managing digital assets as part of the estate administration process.
What Happens to Social Media Accounts?
Many platforms allow accounts to be:
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Memorialized
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Deleted
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Managed by a designated contact
However, these options usually require advance planning. Without it, family members may face delays or denials when requesting access.
What About Online Financial Accounts and Cryptocurrency?
Digital financial assets can be especially challenging. Cryptocurrency, for example, may be permanently inaccessible without private keys or login credentials.
This is one of the most common—and costly—digital estate planning mistakes.
How Digital Assets Fit into Estate Planning
Digital assets are often overlooked in traditional estate planning. However, proper planning may include:
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Creating a digital asset inventory
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Designating a person to manage digital assets
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Including digital asset provisions in estate planning documents
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Storing access information securely
Planning ahead can prevent frustration, loss, and unnecessary conflict.
Why Addressing Digital Assets Matters
Digital assets are part of modern life. Addressing them in an estate plan can help ensure that important accounts are handled properly, valuable assets are preserved, and loved ones are spared unnecessary stress.
As digital assets become a larger part of everyday life, addressing them in an estate plan can help avoid confusion and loss. An experienced estates and trusts attorney can help ensure that both traditional and digital assets are properly considered.