5 tips to make sure your digital life reflects your end-of-life wishes

Your online life is part of your legacy. Without clear direction, loved ones may face account lockouts, lost memories, or legal hurdles at a time of confusion and grief when clarity and compassion matter most. Taking time to organize your digital assets helps ensure your values are honored and your loved ones aren’t left guessing.

1) Create a simple “digital directive”

Think of this as a roadmap for everything you own online. You don’t need fancy legal language, just clear instructions.

Start by listing your accounts:

• Email and social media (Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X/Twitter)
• Cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox)
• Financial accounts and cryptocurrency wallets (Wells Fargo, Bank of America)
• Subscription services (streaming, memberships, recurring payments)
• Photo libraries and personal documents (iCloud Photos, Google Photos)

Then decide what happens to each one:

• Delete: streaming, memberships
• Memorialize: Facebook profile, Instagram account
• Transfer: Photo libraries, family videos, important documents

Keep this document with your will, advance directive, and other estate planning papers. 

2) Choose your “digital executor”

Designate someone you trust to manage your digital accounts. In your will or power of attorney, authorize that person to access your online information. Providing user names and passwords will make their job easier—but store that list securely, such as in a password-manager app (like 1Password or Bitwarden) or in an updated notebook kept in a fireproof home safe or another secure location or with your attorney.

Most states now follow the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), which allows your executor or chosen representative to manage your electronic affairs.

3) Turn on legacy tools

After organizing your digital directive and account information, name a trusted person as your legacy contact on platforms like Apple, Google, and Facebook. This person will be authorized to manage or close your accounts according to your wishes after your death.

• Apple: Add a Legacy Contact in settings to allow a trusted person access to your Apple account after you die.
• Google: Use Inactive Account Manager to share data with chosen contacts or have your account deleted after a set time of inactivity.
• Facebook: Choose a Legacy Contact to manage a memorialized page or request deletion of your account.

4) Secure devices and two-factor methods

Don’t forget to include PINs, passcodes, and two-factor authentication (2FA) details for your phone, tablet, and password manager, without them, even legitimate executors may be locked out.

Include backup codes for two-factor authentication. Without them, even your executor may be permanently locked out

5) Plan for “no-instructions” situations

If you find yourself in the situation of going through a loved one’s digital imprint and they have not made plans ahead of time, it is more difficult, but not impossible. If you’re handling a loved one’s estate without prior guidance, contact each platform to request deletion or memorialization of accounts. Be ready to provide a death certificate, ID, and proof of authority (executor papers, court order, or power of attorney).

Your digital legacy matters

Every photo you’ve taken, message you’ve sent, and memory you’ve saved tells the story of your life. Planning what happens to them is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give the people who love you.

You’ve spent years building your digital life. Spend an afternoon protecting it.