In today's digital world, our online presence often holds significant value. Whether it's your online banking, social media profiles, or digital photos, these digital assets form an important part of your life.

As we face an increasingly digital future, estate planning for digital assets has become essential. As an experienced estate law attorney, I understand the importance of protecting these assets to ensure they are correctly handled after your passing.

Let's dive into how you can protect and include your digital assets in your estate plan.

Understanding Digital Assets

Digital assets encompass any data that is electronically stored or online.

This may include financial accounts like:

Bank accounts, PayPal, Venmo, etc.
Code, software, logo, digital art
Cryptocurrency
Videos, music, photos

Documents and records
Social media profiles
Email and messages
& More

Digital assets do not have to hold monetary value but can also have sentimental or intellectual value in the case of personal photos or creative works. Failing to include them in your estate plan can lead to total loss or mismanagement.

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Including Digital Assets in Your Estate Planning

Just like your physical belongings, your digital assets can also be passed on to your loved ones through your will. However, since digital property is unique in its nature, it demands some special considerations.

How to secure your digital legacy:

Create a Digital Asset Inventory: Make a list of your digital assets, including account details and passwords. Regularly update this as you acquire any new accounts online or important assets.

Choose a Digital Executor: This person will be responsible for managing and distributing your digital assets according to your wishes after you pass.

Provide Legal Access: Without the necessary permissions, your digital executor may not legally be able to access your accounts.

Preserving Sentimental Digital Assets

Digital photos, videos, and creative works often carry immense emotional value. Leaving them unaddressed in your estate plan could lead to their loss, denying your loved ones the opportunity to revisit cherished memories.

If you have any significant digital assets, you may want to choose an executor who has legal or business experience to handle them.

Instructing your digital executor on how to handle these assets ensures they are preserved and accessible to your loved ones. This could mean transferring them to a family member or instructing the executor to back them up on a physical storage device. They could also make several copies on flash drives to distribute to your family members, so they have easy access to photos, documents, etc.

Staying Secure Online

In addition to including your digital assets in your estate plan, taking steps to secure them while you are still alive is equally, if not more, important.

Cybersecurity measures such as two-factor authentication, strong and unique passwords, and regular backups can help keep your digital assets from being vulnerable to cyber threats.

Secure Your Digital Legacy

Planning for your digital assets is not just about protecting their financial or sentimental value—it is about ensuring your digital legacy lives on according to your wishes. Don't leave the future of your digital assets to chance.

I am committed to helping you protect all aspects of your legacy. Whether you need assistance with digital asset planning, will drafting, or trust administration, I am here to help.

Reach out today and allow me to help you manage and protect your digital assets.

Protect Your Digital Assets with Estate Planning