In our final digital estate planning post, we'll discuss creating a digital estate plan.

In our digital world, our personal and professional lives are interconnected through our online presence, including social media, email, banking, and more. This digital information makes up our digital estate, which, like physical possessions, needs careful planning for what happens after we're gone.

A digital estate plan functions like a traditional will but is focused on your digital assets, outlining your wishes to ensure your digital legacy is managed according to your preferences. This planning is crucial for practical access to accounts and preserving memories while preventing complications for your family.

Creating Your Digital Estate Plan

1. Inventory Your Accounts and Digital Files: Make a comprehensive list of all your online accounts and locations of important files. Don’t forget your work or school accounts as well.

   • Online accounts:

     • Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)

     • Email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.)

     • Online banking and investment accounts (including PayPal, CashApp, and Venmo)

     • Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)

     • Cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.)

     • Gaming accounts (PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, etc.)

     • Loyalty and frequent flyer programs

     • Retail store accounts

     • Multi-App accounts (Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Apple)

   • Local files on your devices:

     • Photos

     • Videos

     • Music

     • Voicemail

     • Important documents

   
   

2. Delete inactive accounts: As you inventory all your accounts, take the time to clean, close, deactivate, or delete old accounts you no longer use or need. Here is a good article from Wired (via Pocket) about how to find and close old accounts you may have forgotten about.
   

3. Gather Account Information: For each account, note the following:

   • Account name

   • Username

   • Password (or password hints/recovery methods)

   • Security questions and answers

   • Two-factor authentication details

   
   

4. Determine your wishes: For each item and account, decide what should happen to it:

   • Deletion: Should the account be deleted, deactivated, or closed?

   • Transfer: Should the account be transferred to another person (e.g., your spouse or child)? This is necessary to retain access to your Google data.

   • Memorialization: Should the account be memorialized (e.g., turning a Facebook profile into a memorial page)?

   
   

5. Select Your Digital Executor: Choose a trusted individual - a spouse, child, sibling, or close friend, to act as your digital executor. This person will be responsible for managing your online accounts and ensuring that your wishes regarding these accounts are carried out. Then, give your executor access to your account information and digital estate plan.
   

6. Document Your Wishes: Communicate your preferences regarding your digital assets to your executor. In your document, include the following details:

   • The name of the account

   • The desired action for the account (deletion, transfer, etc.)

   • The name of the recipient (if the account will be transferred)

   • Any specific instructions (e.g., "delete all private messages").

   A Google search will provide plenty of free and purchasable templates, or you can use our free worksheet.
   

7. Store Your Information Securely: Keep your digital estate plan in a safe and accessible place. Store both a physical and digital copy:

   • Online Password Manager: A secure password manager can help you store and share your login credentials. Be sure to share the login info for the password manager with your digital executor.

   • Physical Safe Deposit Box: This is a traditional and secure option for storing important documents including your digital estate plan. You can also store your plan on a USB drive and store the drive in the safe deposit box.

     
     

8. Regularly Update Your Digital Estate Plan: Review and revise your digital estate plan as you create new accounts, delete old accounts, or change passwords.

Important Considerations:

• Platform-Specific Policies: Account policies can differ significantly between platforms. It’s important to research the specific guidelines and procedures for accessing and managing accounts after death for each platform (e.g., Facebook, Google, Apple).

• Data Privacy: Be aware of data privacy concerns when sharing your account information. Ensure that the method you choose for storing this information is secure.

• Legal Guidance: Consider consulting an attorney specializing in estate planning to ensure your digital estate plan is legally sound and addresses any specific issues you may have.

• Legal Validity: Although not legally binding in all jurisdictions, a well-drafted digital estate plan serves as a valuable guide for your loved ones.

Creating a digital estate plan may feel daunting, but it is essential for protecting your digital legacy and ensuring your loved ones are cared for. Planning and organizing your online affairs can provide peace of mind for you and your family.

Ready to start planning your digital estate? Download our Digital Estate Plan checklist to get started.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.