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Glossary
Digital Estate Plan
A digital estate plan is a set of instructions that explains what accounts you have, what should happen to them, and how trusted people should act if you die or become unable to manage them.
Definition
A digital estate plan is an organized record of your online accounts, devices, digital assets, recovery methods, and the instructions your family or trusted contacts should follow if something happens to you.
Why It Matters
Without a plan, families usually discover accounts one service at a time through statements, inboxes, and devices. That slows everything down and increases the risk of account lockouts, missed bills, or permanent data loss.
A usable plan also separates what should be preserved, what should be closed, and what legal or personal authority may be needed before someone acts.
Common Mistakes
- Treating the plan as just a password list.
- Putting raw passwords in a plain document without a secure storage method.
- Forgetting to record recovery codes, backup devices, and the phone number tied to two-factor authentication.
Safe Best Practices
- Keep an inventory of important accounts, devices, subscriptions, and valuable digital files.
- Use a password manager or another secure method, and document how trusted people should reach it.
- Review the plan after major changes to your phone number, email, password manager, or family contacts.
Related Terms
Digital Assets
Digital assets are the files, accounts, records, subscriptions, and online property that have financial, practical, or emotional value.
Digital Executor
A digital executor is the person who coordinates digital after-death tasks such as locating accounts, preserving records, and working with providers, whether or not that role is formal in local law.
Passkey
A passkey is a modern sign-in method tied to a device, browser, or password manager, often replacing or reducing the need for a traditional password.
Inactive Account Manager
Inactive Account Manager is Google's planning tool that lets someone decide what should happen to certain Google data or contacts if the account becomes inactive for a defined period.
Related Articles
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How to Create a Digital Estate Plan
Step-by-step guidance for documenting accounts, preserving digital assets, naming trusted contacts, and giving loved ones clear instructions.
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What Happens to Your Digital Accounts When You Die
An overview of major platform policies, common after-death account outcomes, and how to plan so loved ones are not left guessing.
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How to Access a Deceased Person's Online Accounts
How to gather documents, request lawful access, work with providers, and protect privacy when managing a deceased person's online accounts.