Digital Estate Planning: Who Gets Access When You Can’t
We plan for what happens to our houses and savings, but our online lives often go unmentioned. Email accounts, photo libraries, social media profiles, subscriptions and cryptocurrency, if you hold any, can leave families locked out or confused when someone dies or becomes incapacitated. A little forethought can spare loved ones a great deal of difficulty.
What counts as a digital estate
Your digital estate includes anything that exists online or on a device in your name. That may be email and messaging accounts, cloud storage, photos and videos, online banking, shopping accounts, domain names, loyalty points, digital purchases and personal websites. Some of these have financial value, and others carry sentimental worth.
Start with an inventory
Make a list of your accounts and what each is for. You do not need to write passwords in the list itself. Note the service, the username or email address, and where important information is kept. Include devices such as phones and laptops, and the way to unlock them.
Categories to include
- Financial: banks, investments, payment services, bills paid online.
- Communication: email, messaging apps, social media.
- Storage: cloud drives, photo services, external drives.
- Subscriptions: streaming, software, memberships that renew automatically.
- Business or creative: websites, domains, online shops, written work.
Decide what should happen
For each category, consider your wishes. Would you like certain accounts closed, memorialised or passed to someone? Should photos be shared with family? Are there accounts you would prefer to remain private? Writing down your preferences helps the people you trust to act in line with your intentions.
Use the tools providers offer
Some major services allow you to nominate someone to access or manage your account after you are gone, or to choose to have the account deleted after a period of inactivity. Look in the account settings for options related to inactive accounts or legacy contacts. Using these tools is often easier for families than going through lengthy request procedures.
Share access safely
Do not leave a list of passwords on a sticky note or in an unprotected file. A password manager may offer emergency access features that let a trusted person request entry after a waiting period. Alternatively, store a sealed record in a secure place, such as with your will or in a safe, and tell the trusted person where it is.
Involve the legal side
- Speak to a solicitor or legal adviser about including digital assets in your will or related documents.
- Appoint a trusted person to handle your digital affairs.
- Keep in mind that laws about access to deceased people’s accounts differ between countries and providers.
Consider privacy and consent
Private messages and personal correspondence involve other people. Think about what you would want your family to see and what you would rather keep private, and record your wishes accordingly.
Keep it up to date
Review your list once a year, or after any major life change. Remove closed accounts, add new ones and make sure the person you chose still agrees to the role.
Have the conversation
Do not forget devices
Phones, tablets and computers are often the keys to many accounts, since they hold authentication apps and saved logins. Make sure a trusted person knows how to unlock them, and consider how two-step verification codes could be recovered. Without this planning, even correct passwords may not be enough to gain access.
Talking about this subject can feel uncomfortable, but it is a gift to those you leave behind. A short, calm conversation and a clear document can make a difficult time a little easier for everyone.