Most people carefully plan for their children, property, and finances—but overlook the digital world they’ve built over a lifetime. So what happens to online accounts when you die? The short answer: it depends on the platform, and whether you’ve made a plan.
If you’re a New Yorker with a growing collection of email accounts, cloud storage, cryptocurrency, or subscription services, this guide is for you. We’ll walk you through what counts as a digital asset, which accounts are easiest (or hardest) to manage after death, and how you can ensure your loved ones have the access and authority they need.
At The Village Law Firm, we include digital estate planning as part of every comprehensive estate plan—because your online life deserves just as much protection as your real-world assets.
What Are Digital Assets and Why Do They Matter?
Digital assets include more than just your social media. They can hold real financial, legal, or emotional value—sometimes all three.
Here are common types of digital assets that should be included in your estate plan:
- Email accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) containing sensitive documents or personal messages
- Cloud storage (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive) where family photos, contracts, or business files live
- Cryptocurrency wallets (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) that are irretrievable without secure keys
- Online subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Apple Music) with ongoing billing or stored media
- Digital loyalty programs (airline miles, credit card rewards) that could be transferred—if someone knows how
- Web domains or monetized content (blogs, e-commerce sites, YouTube channels) that generate income or require takedown action
Failing to include these assets in your estate plan can lead to permanent data loss, unresolved billing, or even unrecovered wealth.
Which Online Accounts Are Often Forgotten?
In our experience, people tend to forget the accounts that quietly run in the background of daily life:
- Email accounts, which often double as recovery tools for other accounts
- Photo libraries on iCloud or Google Photos, which may hold the only copies of irreplaceable memories
- Streaming services that continue billing indefinitely
- Crypto platforms, where losing a private key means losing the entire account
- Professional tools, like a personal website or an online portfolio that represents years of work
The son of one client of ours had information about his cryptocurrency stored on his laptop computer, which they didn’t have the password for. Fortunately, they were able to guess the password, just barely gaining access to the millions he had accumulated in cryptocurrency.
Are Some Platforms Easier to Manage Than Others?
Absolutely—and the differences are surprisingly stark.
Easier platforms:
- Google: You can set up an Inactive Account Manager to allow access after a period of inactivity.
- Facebook: Lets you choose a Legacy Contact to manage your memorialized profile or delete it.
- Apple: Offers a Digital Legacy feature that lets you designate people who can access your iCloud data.
Harder platforms:
- Instagram and LinkedIn: Typically require a death certificate—and sometimes a court order—to make changes.
- Cryptocurrency: If your loved ones don’t have your private key, they can’t access your wallet. Period.
This is why we advise clients to create a digital asset inventory—a document (or secure vault) that includes digital assets, recovery methods, and instructions. The safest way to store password information is through a password manager program like 1Password or the iCloud Password app. These programs have a legacy feature that allows you to designate someone to access your stored information. At The Village Law Firm, we help clients organize this inventory and reference it properly in their will or trust.
How to Include Digital Assets in Your Estate Plan
Here’s how we guide clients through this increasingly essential process:
- Take Inventory: List your digital accounts—personal, financial, business, and recreational.
- Clarify Ownership: Make note of which assets have financial value or legal relevance.
- Store Access Credentials: Securely document login info, two-factor methods, and private keys in an online password manager.
- Designate a Digital Executor: Choose someone who understands both your wishes and the platforms involved.
- Update Legal Documents: Reference the inventory in your estate plan with clear instructions and authority.
These steps can be just as important as creating a will or funding a trust. Without them, your family may face major legal and emotional roadblocks.
FAQs
Can someone log into my accounts after I die if I gave them the password?
Not necessarily. Many platforms prohibit account sharing, even after death. That’s why legal authorization is crucial.
What if I own cryptocurrency?
If no one has your private key or recovery phrase, that crypto is unrecoverable. Include your keys in in a secure manner that will be accessible to your executor.
Do I need to update my estate plan to include digital assets?
Yes. If your current plan doesn’t mention digital accounts or authorize someone to access them, it’s incomplete. Updating your estate plan is easier than you think—and it’s the only way to legally protect your digital footprint.
Final Thoughts
Digital assets are no longer optional—they’re an essential part of your estate. Whether it’s protecting memories or preserving wealth, what happens to online accounts when you die depends entirely on the planning you do today.At The Village Law Firm, we’re here to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. If you’re ready to create or update your estate plan, schedule a legal planning session with our team and take the first step toward peace of mind.
