When most people think about estate planning, they picture their home, savings, or maybe a few treasured family heirlooms. But there’s another important part of your legacy that’s easy to overlook—your digital assets.
Don’t worry if you didn’t think about these when you first set up your will or trust. You’re not alone—and the good news is, it’s easy to fix.
What Are Digital Assets?
Digital assets are anything you own or use online. They can include:
- Photos and videos saved on your phone, computer, or in the cloud
- Emails and digital files (like financial records or business documents)
- Cryptocurrency and NFTs
- Domain names and websites
- Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, and others)
- YouTube or content creator channels
- Affiliate marketing or e-commerce accounts (Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, etc.)
- Digital business tools and backups
Some of these items carry deep sentimental value—like your family photos—while others may hold significant financial worth. Think of a YouTube channel that earns income, a busy Etsy shop, or a cryptocurrency wallet.
In today’s world, your legacy isn’t just what’s in your home or bank account—it’s also your digital life.
3 Simple Tips to Get Started
1. Make a List of What You Have Online
Start by listing every online account you use—email, social media, cloud storage, subscriptions, business tools, and anything else.
If you own a business, include digital records, client files, and databases. This list is a huge help for your loved ones and your attorney. Think of it as a digital roadmap that helps others find and manage what’s important to you.
2. Choose a Trusted “Digital Fiduciary”
Pick someone you trust to manage your online accounts if you can’t—or after you’re gone. Often, this person is also your executor, trustee, or agent under a power of attorney.
Access to digital accounts is governed by both state law and company policies (like Google or Apple). Some platforms make it easier through tools such as Google’s Inactive Account Manager or Apple’s Digital Legacy program.
Whatever you do, keep your passwords safe and make sure your fiduciary knows how to access the information when needed.
3. Use the Right Legal Tools
Depending on your situation, you may want to include certain digital assets in your trust or mention them in your power of attorney.
At Legacy Planners, we help clients protect their online accounts, select the right people to manage them, and ensure everything is legally covered. Because the laws around digital assets are still evolving, it’s important to review your plan regularly.
Why Planning Matters
Doing nothing can cause real problems. Family photos could be lost forever. A business could stall if no one can log in. Or valuable digital assets could simply disappear.
If this feels overwhelming, that’s okay—you don’t have to tackle it alone. 👉 Schedule a Truth Talk on my website to start the conversation. Together, we’ll make sure your digital life is protected and your legacy lives on, both online and off.
