Step-by-Step Guide — Digital Estate Planning

Step 1: Make an Inventory of Everything

You can't protect what you don't know you have. Start by listing every online account, device, subscription, and digital asset you own. This is the foundation everything else builds on.

Don't try to do this in one sitting. Keep a running list on your phone or computer and add to it over a week or two. You'll be surprised how many accounts you remember.

What to Include

Email accounts — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, AOL, ProtonMail
Financial — Banks, credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, investments, cryptocurrency
Social media — Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, Reddit, Nextdoor
Cloud storage — Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive
Shopping — Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart, Target
Subscriptions — Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Disney+, Audible, Kindle
Travel & loyalty — Airlines, hotels, Uber, Lyft, car rentals
Healthcare — Patient portals (MyChart), Medicare.gov, insurance
Government — Social Security, IRS, DMV
Smart home & IoT — Ring, Nest, smart locks, WiFi router, Alexa, Google Home
AI services — ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot
Devices — Phones, tablets, computers, network storage
Domain names & websites — Personal blogs, business sites

For Each Account, Record:

Account name / website
Username or email used to log in
Password (or where it's stored)
Two-factor authentication (yes/no)
If yes: what type (text, authenticator app, passkey, hardware key)
If yes: what device or platform it's on

Download Free Inventory Template See Full Inventory List

Step 2: Choose a Digital Executor

A digital executor is the person who will carry out your wishes for your online accounts. This can be the same person as your estate executor, but it doesn't have to be.

Being trustworthy isn't enough. Your digital executor also needs to be reasonably tech-savvy and able to navigate websites, password managers, and account settings.

What to Look For

Trustworthy — they'll have access to your most private information
Tech-comfortable — can use a password manager, navigate account settings, and follow instructions
Available — lives nearby or is reachable when needed
Young enough — ideally they'll outlive you and still be capable

Have the Conversation

Don't just name someone in a document and hope for the best. Sit down with them and walk through:

Where your inventory is stored
How to access your password manager (or wherever credentials are kept)
How to unlock your phone and computer
What you want done with each type of account
Who the backup executor is if they can't serve

Give Them a Way In

Your digital executor needs physical or digital access to your credentials. Options:

Password manager emergency contact — 1Password and Bitwarden let you designate someone who can request access after a waiting period
Physical document — a printed list in a sealed envelope, stored in a safe or safe deposit box
Trusted family member with shared access — some families share a password manager vault

Step 3: Secure Your Credentials

This is where most people get stuck. The good news: modern tools make this much easier than it used to be. The challenge: passkeys are changing how everything works.

LastPass is no longer recommended. After multiple security breaches and stolen vault data, we advise against using LastPass. If you're currently using it, plan a migration to a safer alternative.

Recommended Password Managers (2026)

Manager	Best For	Emergency Access	Passkey Support	Cost
Bitwarden	Most people	Yes — emergency contacts	Yes	Free / $10 yr
1Password	Families, advanced users	Yes — recovery + emergency kit	Yes	~$36 yr
NordPass	Simple setup	Yes — emergency access	Yes	~$24 yr
Proton Pass	Privacy-focused users	Yes — emergency contacts	Yes	Free / $48 yr

The Passkey Problem

Passkeys are the new standard for logging in. Instead of typing a password, your device uses cryptography to prove who you are. They're more secure — but they create an estate planning problem:

Passkeys are bound to your device. You can't write them down.
If your executor doesn't have your device or access to your password manager, they may not be able to log in.
Some platforms let you sync passkeys across devices (Apple iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, Bitwarden, 1Password).

What to do: If you use passkeys, make sure they're synced to a password manager or cloud account that your executor can access. Don't rely solely on device-bound passkeys.

Other Storage Options

If a password manager feels overwhelming, these are acceptable alternatives:

Password-protected file (Excel, PDF) stored on a cloud service your family can access
Printed list in a sealed envelope, kept in a fireproof safe or safe deposit box
Split the list: half with your attorney, half with your executor

Step 4: Set Up Platform Legacy Features

The major tech companies now offer built-in tools for what happens to your account after death. These are worth setting up, but be aware: the processes can be bureaucratic and often require a death certificate.

Google

Inactive Account Manager

Lets you choose what happens to Gmail, Drive, Photos, and YouTube after a period of inactivity (3–18 months). You can name up to 10 trusted contacts to receive data.

Set it up →

Apple

Legacy Contact

Available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Your legacy contact gets access to photos, messages, notes, and more after your death. They need your death certificate and an access key.

Learn more →

Facebook

Memorialization Settings

Choose whether your account should be memorialized (preserved as a remembrance) or permanently deleted. You can also name a legacy contact to manage the memorialized page.

Set it up →

Microsoft

Next of Kin Process

Your executor or family member can submit a request with a death certificate to access Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft data. No proactive setup required, but slower than other platforms.

Learn more →

X (Twitter) is unpredictable. Under current ownership, legacy and deceased account policies have changed multiple times. If you have an X account, we recommend simply deactivating it rather than relying on any legacy feature.

See Detailed Platform Guides

Step 5: Put It in Your Will

Your digital estate plan isn't complete until it's documented legally. This doesn't have to be complicated, but it does need to be clear.

What to Include

Name your digital executor — and a backup, in case the first can't serve
Reference your inventory — "My digital asset inventory, stored [location], should guide my executor"
Specify wishes for key accounts — social media (memorialize vs. delete), domain names (keep vs. release), financial (close vs. transfer)
Grant authority — explicitly give your executor permission to access, manage, and close your digital accounts

RUFADAA note: Nearly all states have adopted the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act. This law gives your executor legal authority to access digital assets — but often only a "catalog" (list of accounts), not the actual content (emails, messages), unless you explicitly consent through platform tools. Naming a digital executor in your will helps, but platform legacy settings are still essential.

Do You Need an Attorney?

If you already have a will, you may be able to add a codicil (amendment) for digital assets. If you're starting from scratch, an estate attorney can ensure everything is properly integrated. This site doesn't provide legal advice — consult a professional for your situation.

You're done — mostly. Digital estate planning isn't a one-time task. Set a reminder to review your inventory every 6–12 months, or whenever you add a major new account or device.