Glossary
Digital Estate Plan
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 you die or become unable to manage them.
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 where recovery codes are stored, which backup devices exist, and which phone number is tied to two-factor authentication.
Safer next steps
- Keep an inventory of important accounts, devices, subscriptions, and valuable digital files.
- Use a password manager or another secure storage method. Record its location and any instructions for authorized access in your plan.
- Review the plan after major changes to your phone number, email, password manager, or family contacts.