You've spent years building a digital life email accounts, cloud photos, online banking, social media. But when you die, all of it could disappear forever.
Over 70% of Americans leave no instructions for their digital property. That means passwords, crypto wallets, photo libraries, and online accounts are often lost permanently when someone passes away.
Here's how to protect your digital assets and ensure they go to the right people.
What Are Digital Assets (And Why Do They Matter)?
Digital assets are anything you own or access online that has value financial or emotional.
Financial Digital Assets:
- Cryptocurrency and digital wallets
- PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App balances
- Online-only bank accounts
- Reward points and airline miles
- Domain names and websites
Personal Digital Assets:
- Email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)
- Cloud photo libraries (Google Photos, iCloud)
- Cloud storage (Dropbox, OneDrive)
- Social media accounts
- Digital documents and files
Business Digital Assets:
- E-commerce stores (Shopify, Etsy)
- Monetized YouTube or social media accounts
- Online course platforms
- Freelance marketplace accounts
The Problem: The average person has 90+ online accounts. Without access instructions, families lose them all.
Why Digital Assets Get Lost Forever
Here's what actually happens when someone dies without documenting their digital accounts:
- Executors can't legally access them - Privacy laws protect online accounts even from family members
- Passwords are unknown - Nobody knows what's in password managers, old notebooks, or encrypted files
- Two-factor authentication blocks access - Even if you know the password, you can't get past 2FA without the phone
- Accounts get deleted - Inactive accounts are eventually closed and data is permanently erased
- Crypto is lost forever - Without wallet keys or recovery phrases, cryptocurrency disappears
Real example: A family discovered their father had Bitcoin worth $50,000. But without his wallet password, it's permanently inaccessible. Gone forever.
The Legal Problem: RUFADAA and Digital Privacy
You might think, "My family can just log into my accounts after I die."
Wrong.
Under the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), companies cannot give families access to your accounts even with a death certificate unless you specifically authorized it.
That means:
- ❌ Your spouse can't access your email
- ❌ Your kids can't retrieve your cloud photos
- ❌ Your executor can't close subscription services
- ❌ Nobody can access cryptocurrency wallets
Unless you documented access instructions ahead of time.
What You Need to Document
For every online account that matters, record:
1. Account Details
- Platform/website name
- Username or email used
- Where you keep the password (password manager, notebook)
2. Access Instructions
- How to get past two-factor authentication
- Location of backup codes
- Recovery email addresses
3. What You Want Done
- "Close this account"
- "Transfer to my spouse"
- "Download photos and then delete"
- "Keep active" (for business accounts)
4. Special Cases
- Cryptocurrency wallet keys and recovery phrases
- Domain registrar login info and renewal dates
- Business account ownership transfer instructions
How to Secure Digital Assets Right Now
Step 1: Make a List
Start with high-value or high-importance accounts:
- Email (because it controls password resets for everything else)
- Banking and investment accounts
- Cryptocurrency wallets
- Cloud photo storage
- Social media you want preserved or deleted
Step 2: Store Credentials Securely
Don't write passwords on sticky notes or in unencrypted documents.
Do:
- Use a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password, etc.)
- Use an encrypted digital vault (like Big TOA)
- Store recovery codes and backup phrases separately
Step 3: Document Access Instructions
For each account, write:
- "My email password is in [password manager]. Recovery email is [address]. When I die, download all messages and close the account."
Be specific. Your family won't know what you want unless you tell them.
Step 4: Share Access Securely
Give your executor or trusted family member controlled access to your digital inventory:
- Not full access right now (privacy)
- Access that activates when needed (after your passing)
Big TOA allows exactly this you control who sees what, and when.
Special Case: Cryptocurrency and Digital Wallets
Cryptocurrency is unrecoverable without proper documentation.
What to document:
- Wallet type (Coinbase, MetaMask, hardware wallet)
- Wallet address
- Recovery phrase (12-24 words) - store this SECURELY
- PIN or password
- Location of hardware wallets (Ledger, Trezor)
Critical: Anyone with your recovery phrase can steal your crypto. Store it in an encrypted vault, not in plain text.
Platform-Specific Legacy Tools
Some major platforms offer built-in estate planning features:
Google (Inactive Account Manager):
- Set inactivity period (3-18 months)
- Designate who gets data access
- Auto-delete or transfer files
Apple (Legacy Contact):
- Name someone to access your iCloud after death
- They get photos, files, notes, but not passwords
Facebook (Memorialization):
- Designate legacy contact to manage memorialized page
- Or request account deletion
Problem: These tools only cover one company each. You still need a complete inventory across all platforms.
How Big TOA Simplifies Digital Asset Management
Big TOA gives you one secure place to document everything:
- 🔐 Encrypted storage for account details and passwords
- 📋 Organized categories (financial, personal, business)
- 👥 Controlled sharing with executors or family
- 📝 Instructions for each account (keep, close, transfer)
- 🔒 Bank-level security protects sensitive information
You decide who gets access, and when. Your family gets access only when needed—not before.
Secure Your Digital Assets Free →
Digital Asset Planning Checklist
Use this quick checklist to protect your digital life:
☐ List all online accounts (start with email, banking, photos)
☐ Document passwords (use password manager or encrypted vault)
☐ Save recovery codes for two-factor authentication
☐ Record cryptocurrency wallet keys securely
☐ Write clear instructions (keep, close, transfer each account)
☐ Set up legacy contacts on Google/Apple/Facebook
☐ Share inventory location with executor or spouse
☐ Update annually (add new accounts, remove old ones)
Common Questions
Q: Can my family legally access my accounts after I die?
Not without your explicit authorization. RUFADAA laws protect digital privacy. You must grant access ahead of time.
Q: What happens to my email if I don't plan ahead?
Most services delete inactive accounts after 6-12 months. All emails, contacts, and files are permanently lost.
Q: Is it safe to store passwords online?
Yes—if you use proper encryption. Big TOA uses bank-level encryption (AES-256), which means even we can't see your information.
Q: What about cryptocurrency?
Without recovery phrases, crypto is permanently lost. There's no "password reset" option. Document wallet keys securely or the money vanishes forever.
Q: Can I update my digital asset list as accounts change?
Yes. With Big TOA, you can add, update, or remove accounts anytime. Takes seconds.
Don't Let Your Digital Life Disappear
Your digital assets represent years of memories, relationships, and financial value. Losing them all because you didn't document access instructions is preventable.
Spend 20 minutes today securing your digital legacy.
Your family will thank you and they'll have access to the photos, accounts, and assets you want them to have.
Start Documenting Your Digital Assets →
References
- National Law Review. Digital Estate Planning Under RUFADAA. 2024.
- AARP. Managing Digital Assets and Online Accounts. 2024. www.aarp.org
- Pew Research Center. Americans and Digital Privacy. 2024.