Planning Your Digital Legacy: What Families Need to Know About Data and Accounts
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August 8, 2025
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Most of us don’t think twice about our online lives, but did you know the average person has up to 250 digital accounts? Altogether, these digital assets have a value of around $191,516, according to a 2024 survey from Bryn Mawr Trust.1 From email and banking to social media and online storage, these accounts carry real value, both financial and emotional. For older adults, keeping track of everything gets even harder. That’s where digital legacy planning comes in.
Just like we prepare wills and organize important paperwork, we also need to think about how our digital lives will be managed after we’re gone or in the event of an emergency. Without a plan in place, it can be surprisingly difficult, or even impossible, for loved ones to access key accounts when it matters most. But in this guide, we’ll show you how to protect your digital assets after you’re gone, and why it matters in the first place.
Why Digital Planning Matters
As of 2024, 91 percent of U.S. adults ages 65 and over are online, up from 57 percent just a decade prior.2 Many use digital tools for banking, health records, communication, and family photo storage. But when something unexpected happens, families can hit roadblocks.
FYI: There’s another growing risk: elder fraud. In 2024 alone, older adults lost nearly $4.9 billion to scams, according to the FBI.3 A clear digital plan helps protect against fraud like identity theft and makes sure trusted family members can step in when needed.
Not digitally planning can leave families in a difficult spot. Without access to important accounts, they may struggle to pay bills, close subscriptions, or retrieve treasured photos and documents. Some accounts may be permanently deleted due to inactivity, and others may require lengthy legal processes to unlock. It can also increase the risk of fraud or identity theft if accounts are left unattended. Ultimately, a lack of digital planning adds stress and uncertainty during an already emotional time.
What Counts As a Digital Asset?
Anything stored on the internet or tied to an account can be part of your digital legacy. That includes:
Financial Accounts
- Online banking and investment accounts
- Cryptocurrency wallets
- PayPal, Venmo, and other payment apps
- Insurance portals and retirement accounts, including car insurance, long-term care insurance, and Medicare
Personal Items and Memories
- Email accounts
- Cloud photo and document storage (like Google Drive or iCloud)
- Social media profiles
- Digital music, ebooks, or videos
- Blogs or personal websites
Professional Accounts
- Business email and client documents
- Domain registrations and e-commerce stores
- Professional networks like LinkedIn
- Freelance or consulting platforms
Many families don’t realize how much is stored online until they start looking.
Start With a Plan
The goal of digital legacy planning is simple: to help the right people access important accounts without unnecessary stress. Here’s what to do:
- List of accounts and assets: Go beyond banking. Use your browser history, saved passwords, and email to uncover hidden accounts. Review statements for subscriptions or app charges.
- Clear documentation: You’ll need things like death certificates, legal proof of authority (such as executor paperwork), and sometimes platform-specific forms. We recommend ordering at least 10 certified death certificates to start.
- Platform preferences: Many major companies now offer legacy planning tools. For example, Google has an “Inactive Account Manager”, Facebook allows you to name a legacy contact or memorialize your profile, and Apple offers a Digital Legacy feature that requires an access key. Each platform has different rules and timelines, so it helps to review them in advance.
Security Without Complexity
One of the biggest worries about planning a digital legacy is keeping everything safe. We’ve found that the tools below can help.
Password Management and Secure Storage Options
Password managers and services like 1Password, LastPass, and Bitwarden let you share access with trusted people only when they need it.
Storing information securely may mean using:
- Encrypted USB drives
- Cloud storage with two-factor authentication; note that many senior phone plans include a certain amount of cloud storage
- A sealed envelope stored in a safe place or with an attorney
Pro Tip: For seniors who prefer pen and paper, a well-organized binder kept in a secure spot is better than trying to remember dozens of logins. Our editor’s grandma prefers this method, and so far it’s helped her stay organized without added stress!
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Many accounts now require codes from a phone or app to log in. That’s great for security, but tricky when someone passes away. If a phone gets lost or wiped, access may be gone for good.
Make sure backup codes are stored and shared securely. Families we’ve worked with have avoided months of delays just by keeping a record of authentication setups.
How to Start the Conversation With Your Loved One
Starting a digital legacy plan with an older loved one can feel awkward, especially if they’re not comfortable with technology or don’t see the need. But approaching the conversation with care, curiosity, and a focus on family often makes all the difference. Most older adults want to make things easier for the people they care about; they just may need help understanding what’s involved.
Here are our tips to first approach the topic:
- Try a gentle conversation starter: We recommend something like “Hey Mom, I read something recently about organizing online accounts in case something happens. I think it could really help us down the road; want to look at it together sometime?” Keeping the tone light and collaborative helps avoid making anyone feel pressured or overwhelmed.
- Offer to work through a simple checklist together: Start with manageable tasks, like writing down email accounts, listing what’s stored in the cloud, or deciding who should have access to photos. You can even print a checklist and fill it out over coffee; it doesn’t have to be done all at once.
- Break it into small steps: Suggest one thing at a time: finding login details for a bank account, identifying a trusted contact for their password manager, or choosing a backup method for important documents. Once a few small wins are under their belt, bigger tasks like organizing social media or business accounts feel more achievable.
- Make it a shared effort: One person can take the lead, but involving siblings or close relatives can make the process smoother and help everyone feel informed and included. Consider setting up a shared folder, secure spreadsheet, or even a recurring phone call to check in on progress and updates.
By approaching digital legacy planning as an act of love and preparation, not fear, it becomes a chance to strengthen connections and bring peace of mind to the entire family. Once you’ve had the necessary conversations, a helpful way to organize your plan is by timing. What needs attention right away, and what can wait?
Phase 1: Immediate (Zero–72 Hours)
Get usernames and passwords for the following types of digital accounts:
- Bank and credit accounts
- Health portals
- Email and phone accounts for communication
- Utilities and critical subscriptions
Phase 2: Short-Term (One–Four Weeks)
Then, work on these:
- Insurance and government benefit sites, such as Medicaid or Medicare Advantage
- Business or consulting platforms
- Legal and licensing accounts
Phase 3: Long-Term (One–Six Months)
Finally, make sure to secure:
- Social media profiles
- Senior dating profiles
- Cloud storage of photos and documents
- Digital media libraries and subscriptions
Protecting Privacy, Respecting Wishes
Not all digital accounts are created equal. Some contain financial data, while others hold sensitive conversations, medical information, or private memories. Talk to your loved one about what they’re comfortable sharing, and with whom. Here are some tips for families:
- Assign roles for accessing accounts vs. reviewing content.
- Write down privacy preferences and store them with estate documents.
- Consider automatic deletion for certain accounts if desired.
Who Can Help?
You don’t have to do it all alone. These professionals can help ensure your plan is both secure and legally sound:
Estate Planning Attorneys
Legal professionals who specialize in estate planning can help incorporate digital accounts into traditional estate plans. They’re familiar with the language required to ensure your wishes are legally enforceable and that your digital assets are properly accounted for in wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
That being said, attorneys are notoriously expensive. Consider using a Software As A Service (SaaS) like LegalZoom’s estate planning to save money.
Financial Planners
If your loved one has cryptocurrency, digital banking platforms, or investment accounts, financial advisors can help make sure those assets are properly documented, accessible, and included in the overall financial strategy.
Technology Consultants
These professionals help families implement the right tools for storing, protecting, and sharing digital legacy information. They can recommend password managers, encrypted storage, cloud backup systems, and other tech solutions to ensure your loved one’s digital information stays safe and accessible when needed.
Final Thoughts
Digital legacy planning can help older adults preserve memories, honor relationships, and provide peace of mind. We’ve seen firsthand how much easier life becomes when families are prepared. From accessing treasured family photos to canceling ongoing subscriptions, having a clear plan in place can save time, reduce stress, and prevent permanent losses.
With scams targeting older adults on the rise, protecting digital assets has never been more important. Start small: make a list, have a conversation, and begin organizing essential information. The sooner you take action, the better prepared your family will be, no matter what the future brings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How often should we update a digital legacy plan?
You should update a digital legacy plan at least once a year to ensure everything stays accurate and relevant. It’s also important to revisit the plan after any major life event, such as moving to a new home, receiving a health diagnosis, opening new accounts, or changing your estate plan. Digital lives change quickly, and even a few months can result in outdated information.
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What happens if we don’t plan ahead?
Without a digital legacy plan, families may face significant hurdles accessing online accounts, digital records, and financial platforms. Some services automatically delete inactive accounts after a set period, which can result in the permanent loss of important documents, photos, or funds. Even when accounts remain active, accessing them without legal authority can take months and may require a court order.
A lack of preparation can lead to emotional stress and prevent families from quickly managing critical needs. Planning ahead can save time, money, and heartache down the line.
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Can we include digital accounts in a will?
Yes, digital accounts can and should be referenced in a will, but avoid listing specific login information. Passwords and account details can change frequently and may make your will outdated or insecure. Instead, include a general statement in the will that grants your executor authority over digital assets and points them to a separate document or password manager. This supplemental document should be stored securely and updated regularly.
Work with an estate planning attorney to make sure the wording in your will aligns with state laws and service provider requirements.
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Can we access accounts without legal authority?
In most cases, no, you’ll need proper documentation to access someone’s digital accounts after they pass. Platforms like Google, Apple, and Facebook typically require a death certificate and legal proof that you’re the executor or personal representative of the estate. Without that, even immediate family members may be locked out permanently.
Some platforms offer legacy tools to designate access ahead of time, but if those aren’t set up, it can take weeks or months to gain entry.