Estate planning attorneys like ours at Beck, Lenox & Stolzer are increasingly talking with clients about including provisions in their Last Will and Testament to either name a digital executor or allow their executor to manage digital assets after death. A recent article from technobezz, “9 Tech Steps to Take Before You Die (So Your Family Doesn’t Have To,” provides a checklist for managing digital assets.
Consider password managers that offer family access. An online password manager allows you to gather all accounts and passwords in one online account and share the information with a trusted family member. This will prevent your family from struggling to gain access to accounts, while maintaining privacy during your lifetime.
Document all digital assets. You’ll need to create a comprehensive list of all accounts, including subscriptions, websites, online stores, medical apps, cryptocurrency, media subscriptions, social media platforms, email, utilities and entertainment sites. If this seems overwhelming, imagine a family member trying to gather all this information! Without an inventory, managing accounts will lead to endless complications and lost data.
Enable platform-specific legacy features. Some tech companies have added built-in tools for account succession. Facebook and Apple allow a legacy contact, and Google has an Inactive Account Manager. Not all platforms have this feature, so you will need to go through each account to determine which offers account succession. Your estate planning attorney will talk with you about the specific language needed to ensure that a digital executor can perform the tasks required to manage your accounts.
Set up account recovery contacts. We’ve all had the experience of being locked out of an account. For Apple, a verification code is needed to log back into the account. With certain password managers, family organizers can recover locked-out accounts. If you become incapacitated, these contacts will be required to gain access to critical accounts.
Store important files in shared cloud services. Insurance policies, medical records, financial statements and family photos can be stored online if the service allows sharing. While the platform won’t usually transfer full account ownership, the cloud service may allow access to a named family member. You will need to review each provider’s process for deceased users to request data or closure. Larger brokerage houses offer online portals that may serve your purposes.
Create an emergency information sheet. List primary email accounts, account numbers and phone numbers for banks, life insurance companies, the location of physical documents, including your will, power of attorney, healthcare proxy and contract information for your estate planning attorney and financial advisor. Include instructions for accessing your password manager. Store this document in a home safe and with a trusted family member.
Review and update your estate plan and digital asset inventory on a regular basis. Be sure to review the digital asset and emergency information sheet at least every six months. Digital accounts change frequently, so it’s essential to ensure the information is accurate. Estate plans should be reviewed whenever a significant event occurs in the family, such as death, divorce, birth, or remarriage. They may not require any changes. However, a regular review is advisable.
Once you’ve got all this information created and your estate plan up to date, you’ll be amazed at how relieved you feel. That’s what Beck, Lenox & Stolzer law firm’s goal is- to give you peace of mind. Contact us to schedule a free initial phone consultation if you need our help.
Reference: technobezz (September 22, 2025) “9 Tech Steps to Take Before You Die (So Your Family Doesn’t Have To”
