How to Tackle Digital Estate Planning in Four Easy Steps
Your digital life includes dozens of usernames and passwords. Providing a digital estate plan can help your family deal with your accounts with minimal fuss.


Today, much of our lives is digital, and many things we hold dear are not physical. But what happens to our digital assets when we die? That’s where digital estate planning comes in.
State laws such as the RUFADAA (Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act) offer the executor of an estate or attorney access to a person’s online accounts after incapacitation or death. These laws help you to protect your digital assets. But you need a digital estate plan to enable your family to access your digital assets if you pass away.
Several states have adopted RUFADAA, which has a three-tier process for accessing digital assets:

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Tier one. Some digital service providers offer a tool to designate what happens to all your assets after you die. For instance, if you used Yahoo’s inactive account manager to designate a friend, that designation should guide what happens to your digital assets.
Tier two. If there is no such tool, the owners’ legal documents should dictate what should be done with the asset.
Tier three. If the above two scenarios do not help, then the service provider’s terms of service should dictate how the executor can access those accounts.
What is a digital estate?
Before making a digital estate plan, you need to understand what makes up your digital estate. Your digital estate includes all of your electronic and virtual accounts and assets, such as:
- Social media accounts.
- Email accounts.
- E-commerce accounts.
- Photos saved in the cloud.
- Cryptocurrency keys.
- Cellphone apps.
- Domain names.
- Text, graphic and audio files (or other intellectual property).
- Blogs and domains.
- Loyalty program benefits, such as credit card perks.
- Utility accounts.
- Online banking accounts.
- Gaming accounts.
- Online store accounts.
Electronic bank accounts are considered digital assets, but the money in the bank account is not a digital asset. The same is true for cryptocurrency. The cryptocurrency account access platform, such as Coinbase, is a digital asset, but the actual cryptocurrency, such as Ethereum or Bitcoin, is not a digital asset.
Here are the steps for creating a digital estate plan:
1. Take inventory.
The first step in creating a digital estate plan is to take inventory of your digital assets, compiling account names, usernames and passwords. You can store the info in a password manager or simply create a document. It is important to review and update the information whenever necessary.
2. Decide how you want your digital assets handled.
It would be best to provide options on how your executor should handle your digital assets upon death. List your intentions for every asset or account. For example, should your subscription accounts be archived or deleted?
Some companies have their own terms and conditions, and you should review this information to ensure your instructions conform to those policies. Some companies do not allow you to transfer digital assets to another person or account, while others allow you to authorize a person to access your digital account.
Twitter and Google have legacy policies that are followed to the letter. Facebook allows your family members to “memorialize” your account so that they can post messages and view photos and quotes. Google’s custodial tools allow you to authorize someone to access your digital accounts when you pass.
If you have blogs or accounts that generate income, you should make decisions about their continuity and who should manage them. You may need someone to make a final post to your followers.
3. Pick a digital executor.
Your traditional estate executor could serve as your digital executor, but it is wise to appoint different people. Most people choose a family member or friend. If you choose different people, ensure they can work together. When you ask the person you’ve chosen to be your digital executor, it is important to explain their tasks and responsibilities and ensure they understand the assignment.
You can reference your digital will and name the digital executor in your traditional will.
4. Store your digital estate plan in a safe place.
Ensure that all your digital estate documents are in a safe and accessible place and that the digital executor can access all the instructions. Or, you can store all of your estate planning documents with your attorney.
Three platforms that can help you organize your digital estate plan in the event of an emergency or when you pass away include Estate Guru, Clocr and Trust & Will.
In states that have not enacted the RUFADAA, the digital estate plan is considered informal. It would help if you formalized it by making a codicil to will or a will. A codicil is a legal document that cites modifications to your will. If possible, you should appoint a legal or financial adviser to help with your digital property.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Marguerita M. Cheng is the Chief Executive Officer at Blue Ocean Global Wealth. She is a CFP® professional, a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ and a Retirement Income Certified Professional. She helps educate the public, policymakers and media about the benefits of competent, ethical financial planning.
-
Retirement Health Care Costs Are On the Rise: What You Need to Know
A 65-year-old retiree will face significantly higher lifetime health care costs than they would have a year ago, even with Medicare. Here are the surprising totals.
-
Virginia Tax-Free Weekend 2025 Is Here August 1–3: What to Know
Sales Tax Three days, no sales tax. Here’s what qualifies for Virginia’s tax-free weekend.
-
You Don't Have to Be Wealthy to Need a Wealth Manager
Navigating complex financial decisions is hard on your own, no matter how much money you have. A wealth manager can provide comprehensive financial planning, investment management, risk management and more.
-
Despite Tariffs, These Investment Experts Are Bullish on European Equities
European equities were one of the better-performing investments during the first half of 2025. They could be a good long-term prospect for U.S. investors needing to diversify, according to these investment managers.
-
How Do You Know You Are Ready for a Gray Divorce? 15 Yes-or-No Questions
As people 50 and older get more gray divorces, many splits are initiated by women who want a new path. Answer these 15 questions to see if you might need to think about how you should move forward.
-
'Buy Now, Pay Later' for Everyday Spending? This Financial Pro Thinks It's Risky
'Buy Now, Pay Later' apps can get you out of a jam when you need money quickly. But using them regularly for small purchases could create problems.
-
Five Things to Consider Before Rolling Your 401(k) into a Roth IRA
Converting at least some of an old 401(k) to a Roth IRA can offer long-term tax benefits and retirement flexibility, especially if you anticipate being in a higher tax bracket later or wish to leave a tax-free legacy.
-
From Dream Apartment to Nightmare: When Your Landlord Evicts You Through No Fault of Your Own
This is what I suggested a tenant do to get out of her lease after her landlord's inexperience and lack of action made her rental situation unsafe. It's a legal situation called 'constructive eviction.'
-
Six Steps to Being Empowered and On Track: An Expert Financial Guide for Women
While most female investors feel on track with their financial goals and empowered by managing their investments, many regret not starting sooner. Here's how you can get started and take control of your financial future.
-
Selling Your Business? This Powerful Insurance Option Unlocks Multigenerational Wealth
Private placement life insurance (PPLI) offers almost unbelievable investment flexibility, estate planning and tax advantages. And it's completely legit.