Digital Assets — What to Find and What to Do

Digital assets didn't exist a generation ago. Now they're often more complex — and more valuable — than physical ones. Most estate plans ignore them entirely, leaving families locked out of accounts, paying for subscriptions nobody uses, and unable to access photos, documents, or financial accounts.

Financial Accounts (Highest Priority)

☐Online banking and credit union portals — login credentials, security questions, 2FA device

☐Investment and brokerage accounts (Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, Robinhood, etc.)

☐Cryptocurrency wallets and exchange accounts — wallet addresses, seed phrases, recovery keys. Without these, crypto is permanently inaccessible.

☐PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App — check for balances

☐Online-only banks (Ally, Marcus, SoFi, etc.) — easy to miss because there's no physical mail

☐Subscription billing — identify and cancel recurring charges across all credit cards

Key point: Cryptocurrency is the highest-risk digital asset. If seed phrases and private keys are not documented somewhere accessible, the assets are permanently lost. There is no 'forgot password' for crypto.

Email and Communication

☐Primary email account(s) — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, iCloud. Email is the master key to almost everything else (password resets).

☐Secondary or work email accounts

☐Google account (includes Gmail, Drive, Photos, YouTube)

☐Apple ID (includes iCloud, Photos, Notes, purchased media)

☐Text messages — some may contain important information

Social Media

Platform policies change frequently. The following reflects general options as of 2024 — check each platform's current help center for up-to-date procedures.

+Most platforms will NOT give you the password, but will memorialize or remove the account with proof of death.
+Google has an 'Inactive Account Manager' that can auto-share or delete your data after a period of inactivity. Set it up now.
+Apple has a 'Digital Legacy' program. iPhone users should set a Legacy Contact in Settings.

☐Facebook — can be memorialized with a legacy contact, or permanently deleted

☐Instagram — can request memorialization or removal

☐LinkedIn — can be memorialized or closed by submitting a death certificate

☐X (formerly Twitter) — can request deactivation by a family member

☐TikTok, YouTube, other platforms — each has its own process

Documents and Storage

☐Cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud Drive, OneDrive — may contain important documents, tax returns, photos

☐Password manager (1Password, LastPass, Bitwarden, Dashlane) — this is the single most valuable digital asset. If the deceased used one, the master password unlocks everything.

☐Computer login password (Mac, Windows, phone PIN)

☐External hard drives, USB drives

☐Photo libraries — Google Photos, iCloud Photos, Amazon Photos

Subscriptions and Services to Cancel

☐Streaming: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Premium, Audible

☐Software: Adobe, Microsoft 365, antivirus, VPN, website hosting

☐Delivery: Amazon Prime, DoorDash, meal kits, subscription boxes

☐News: digital newspaper subscriptions, Substack, Patreon

☐Gaming: Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, Steam, in-game purchases

☐Storage: iCloud, Google One, Dropbox paid plans

☐Domains and websites: GoDaddy, Squarespace, WordPress — if the deceased ran a website or blog, these need attention before auto-renewal lapses

What to Do Now (For the Living)

+Use a password manager and share the master password or emergency access with one trusted person.
+Set up Google Inactive Account Manager and Apple Digital Legacy Contact.
+Include a 'digital assets' section in your estate plan — name a digital executor if your state allows it.
+Write a simple document listing what accounts exist and how to access them. Store it with your will.
+Don't store seed phrases or passwords only on a device that requires a password to access.

Disclaimer. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Estate laws vary by state and situation. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for guidance specific to your circumstances.