When you think about estate planning, you probably picture homes, bank accounts or treasured heirlooms. Yet a growing part of your life now exists online. Your photos, emails, financial apps and social media profiles carry real value. If you leave them out of your estate plan, your loved ones may struggle to access key information or preserve what matters most.
What counts as a digital asset
Digital assets now go far beyond social media accounts. They may include:
- Email and messaging apps
- Cloud storage
- Online banking and payment platforms
- Cryptocurrency and digital wallets
- Photos, videos and creative files
- Domain names and websites
- Digital business accounts
- Subscription accounts
Each platform sets its own rules. Some allow designated legacy contacts, while others restrict access even to your executor.
The potential challenges of overlooking digital assets
Digital assets do not transfer on their own, and many families only discover this when it’s too late. Most digital accounts require passwords, and extra security steps – like two-factor authentication – add another hurdle.
Under California’s Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), your executor can request access to your digital accounts but only if you authorize it ahead of time.
Without authorization or guidance for your digital assets:
- Accounts may stay locked.
- Digital photos and personal files become inaccessible and may eventually be deleted.
- Cryptocurrency or online investments may be permanently lost.
- Executors may spend weeks trying to sort out passwords and platform restrictions.
Good digital habits protect your account today. A bit of planning protects your digital legacy.
Protect your digital assets and privacy
Planning for what happens to a lifetime of digital assets may feel overwhelming. You can start small: create a private list of accounts, store it safely and choose who can manage it.
Making space for digital assets in your estate plan helps protect your privacy, reduce stress for your loved ones and ensure that your wishes are honored. An experienced attorney can guide you through the process and help you build a plan that reflects your full life – both online and offline.