When you’re managing a household in today’s digital world, your estate plan needs to do more than just split physical property—it should account for the technology you use every day. Between online bank accounts, cloud storage, cryptocurrency, and even your family photos saved to the cloud, your digital presence carries real financial and emotional value. As an estate planning professional, I can tell you this: ignoring your digital life in your estate plan is a mistake you can’t afford. This guide will walk you through how to bring technology into your estate plan so your assets—physical and digital—are protected, accessible, and properly managed when the time comes.
Start with a Digital Inventory
The first step in bringing tech into your estate plan is knowing what you own. And I don’t mean just your house and car. Think about your email accounts, cloud subscriptions, PayPal or Venmo balances, cryptocurrency wallets, online investment portals, eBooks, and social media profiles. You’re likely juggling dozens of digital platforms—and they don’t automatically transfer to your heirs when you pass.
List everything. Include the usernames and describe what’s in each account. This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about making sure your executor doesn’t spend months trying to reset passwords or track down accounts that could be lost forever. You’ll want to store this inventory securely, preferably encrypted, and make sure someone you trust knows where it is.
Appoint a Digital Executor
Not all states formally recognize the role of a digital executor, but it’s still smart to designate someone responsible for managing your online accounts and digital property. Choose someone comfortable with technology and capable of handling passwords, account closures, or digital asset transfers.
The job can range from memorializing your Facebook page to closing your subscription services to distributing funds held in a digital wallet. In your will or trust documents, be specific about what this person can do. Give them clear instructions and authorization to manage your digital presence according to your wishes.
Use Online Tools for Convenience and Security
You don’t need to walk into a lawyer’s office to get started with estate planning anymore. Several platforms allow you to draft documents, create trusts, and designate beneficiaries online. If you’ve never used tools like Trust & Will or FreeWill, give them a look. They’re designed for people like you—busy, tech-savvy, and looking for speed without sacrificing security.
Some of these tools also offer digital vaults, which are encrypted spaces where you can store your estate planning documents, passwords, and account lists. They’re especially useful if you live in a state that supports electronic wills or remote notarization.
Include Digital Assets in Your Will or Trust
You’d be surprised how many people forget to mention their digital assets in legal documents. But if your will doesn’t include specific instructions, your digital belongings may be lost, inaccessible, or stuck in legal limbo. You should outline what should happen to your accounts—whether you want them deleted, transferred, or archived—and who has permission to carry out your instructions.
This applies to crypto holdings too. If you own Bitcoin, Ethereum, or NFTs, those assets must be accounted for just like real estate or a brokerage account. Provide the wallet keys and any backup seed phrases in a way that’s both secure and accessible to your executor.
Use Secure Storage for Passwords and Keys
One of the most practical things you can do today is start using a password manager. This makes your digital life easier now—and much easier to pass on later. Whether it’s 1Password, LastPass, or Bitwarden, these tools let you store all your credentials in one encrypted location. Most offer emergency access or legacy handover options, so you can assign access to a trusted contact if something happens to you.
If you’re using two-factor authentication or biometric logins, document how those work too. Make a note of devices, recovery methods, and where important backup codes are stored. Digital access without a password is virtually impossible in many cases, and you don’t want your executor hitting a wall.
Don’t Overlook Emails and Photos
Personal content matters. Your Gmail inbox might include important financial emails, and your iCloud account likely stores thousands of family photos. If you don’t give someone access, much of this content can disappear permanently after account inactivity.
Most major providers now offer legacy contact features. Google, Apple, and Facebook all let you choose someone to take over your account or receive data after a period of inactivity or your death. It only takes a few minutes to set up, and it prevents your memories and digital records from being lost.
Keep It Current and Communicated
Technology moves fast, and so does your digital footprint. You might switch banks, change your crypto wallet app, or update your will to reflect a new beneficiary. Review your estate plan once a year, and after major life changes like buying property, starting a business, or having children.
Make sure your spouse or trusted family member knows what you’ve set up. It doesn’t help to create a digital vault if no one knows it exists. Have a conversation, hand them access codes, or give them contact info for your estate planning attorney. Your plan is only as strong as your ability to communicate it.
Modern Tech Tips for Estate Planning
- Create a full digital asset inventory
- Name a digital executor
- Use online estate planning tools
- Include digital assets in your will or trust
- Store passwords in a secure manager
- Assign legacy contacts on key platforms
- Review your plan annually
In Conclusion
Technology has changed how we live, and it should change how we plan. If you want your estate plan to reflect your modern life, you need to factor in the devices, platforms, and accounts you use every day. From securing your crypto to saving your family photos, the details matter. Build a plan that’s current, tech-friendly, and legally sound—and make sure the people who matter know exactly what to do when the time comes.
Learn more about modern estate planning strategies, including navigating your digital assets, on my Strikingly site.
Jason Wootten is the CEO of Family Tree Estate Planning, LLC in Scottsdale, AZ, with 17+ years of experience in the estate and financial planning industry. He specializes in making wills, trusts, and complex financial/legal concepts easy to understand and sponsors the Jason Wootten Scholarship for clear communication.