Is your end-of-life planning focus too narrow?
The foundation of estate planning is to make things easier for the people you care about, passing along your money and property efficiently and thoughtfully, and creating a meaningful legacy.
But as you work to create your estate plan, you might be overlooking one important piece.
Today, much of what we do happens online. Yet most end-of-life plans focus almost entirely on what happens to money and property. Far fewer address what should happen to your digital presence.
Your online footprint is an often-overlooked gap, and that gap can add confusion and stress during a time of grief.
Your estate plan isn’t complete without addressing your web-based life.
Your Digital Life Deserves Planning, Too
What happens to your online accounts and ongoing digital obligations when you die?
Email accounts are frequently tied to bills, subscriptions, and account authentication. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Spotify continue unless canceled. Shopping and loyalty accounts such as Amazon and Chewy remain active. Cloud storage holds documents and digital photos that may be deeply meaningful to loved ones.
Tackling Social Media
Without a plan in place, birthday reminders, anniversary notifications, and other automated prompts can take an emotional toll on those left behind. Whether it is LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or Facebook, each platform has its own policies.
Most do not treat these accounts as transferable property. Some allow memorialization or the designation of a legacy contact. Others only allow account closure and often only with proper documentation.
Authority Matters
Do not assume a spouse or child has automatic access. Having authority under a will or power of attorney is often not enough unless digital access is explicitly addressed. The Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act governs much of this process. It was created to clarify who is legally allowed to access and manage online accounts after death or incapacity, particularly because technology companies are bound by privacy laws and their own terms of service.*
Without clear authority, well‑intentioned family members may face unexpected barriers.
Choosing the right person matters, too. This may not be the closest relative or even the same person who will be managing finances or serving as executor. Consider selecting someone who is comfortable with technology and emotionally able to handle the task.
As planners, we help clients think through these questions and identify gaps that often go unnoticed.
If you’re working with your attorney to update your estate documents, your online life deserves a place in the conversation.
Including these digital details in your planning will not eliminate grief. But it can reduce confusion and bring clarity during a difficult time. It’s an act of care for the people you love.
By Jill Israel
Financial Advisor
*Source: Nolo, The Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA)
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