Digital Assets After Death: What to Know and Do

A practical guide for families and executors managing digital assets after death - online accounts, crypto, and more.

When someone dies, their digital assets after death do not disappear. It lingers unless you do something about it. From locked Gmail accounts and unclaimed crypto wallets to cloud photo albums and recurring Netflix charges, digital assets often outlive the person and outpace the plan.

If you're settling a loved one's estate, you're likely facing questions that never came up around traditional paperwork:

• What accounts did they have?

• Where are the passwords?

• Can we even access these platforms legally?

  
  

This guide is for executors, loved ones, and anyone navigating the digital afterlife on someone else's behalf. Whether the person left a clear plan or none at all, these steps will help you take action and avoid digital loose ends.

What are Digital Assets and Why They Matter After Death?

Digital assets are any electronically stored content, credentials, or accounts that belonged to the deceased. They carry real-world significance from financial to emotional to legal.

You may be responsible for:

• Closing or memorializing social media profiles

• Locating and transferring cryptocurrency

• Canceling subscriptions and auto-pay accounts

• Accessing cloud-stored photos, videos, or messages

• Shutting down online businesses or digital storefronts

  
  

Even when there is a will, digital assets are often overlooked and they can be lost, mishandled, or left vulnerable if not addressed properly.

Common Digital Assets Executors Must Manage

Personal Accounts

• Email (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo)

• Social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn)

• Cloud photo storage (Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox)

• Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime)

Financial And Crypto Accounts

• Online banking and investment portals

• Cryptocurrency wallets (Coinbase, MetaMask, Ledger)

• PayPal, Venmo, Cash App

• Online storefronts (Etsy, Shopify)

Intellectual and Creative Property

• Domain names

• Blogs or YouTube channels

• Digital art, NFTs, and monetized content

• Online courses or digital products

Why It Matters for Estate Settlement

Digital assets may contain:

• Monetary value (crypto, online income, investments)

• Legal information (contracts, insurance, tax records)

• Sentimental items (photos, letters, videos, journals)

Left unaccounted for, they can become digital clutter, or worse, security risks. They may also continue to charge credit cards or generate confusion for family members.

What to Do With Digital Assets After Someone Dies: Step-by-Step

Whether or not a plan exists, here’s how to manage digital assets in the real world:

Step 1: Check for a Digital Estate Plan

Start by looking for:

• A will or trust that mentions digital assets

• A list of accounts in a password manager (like 1Password or LastPass)

• Notes or folders in End of an Era’s digital organizer, if they used one

Keep in mind: Even partial lists can help you begin your search.

Step 2: Secure Access (Legally)

Before logging in or making changes, you’ll need legal authority:

• Be named as executor or administrator in the will

• Receive letters testamentary through probate

• Understand that power of attorney ends at death

Keep in mind: Even if you have passwords, don’t assume you can legally access accounts. Most platforms prohibit unauthorized access.

Step 3: Inventory Their Digital Footprint

Start tracking accounts and assets using:

• Their email inbox (search for “welcome,” “receipt,” “subscription,” etc.)

• Browser bookmarks or saved logins

• Phone apps and app store history

• Bank or credit card statements for digital payments

  
  

Keep in mind: Create a list of platforms, account types, usernames, and any known login clues.

Step 4: Decide What to Close, Preserve or Transfer

Not every account needs the same treatment. 

Ask:

• Should this be deleted, archived, or handed down?

• Does it have financial value or emotional importance?

Examples:

• Memorialize or delete Facebook accounts

• Transfer ownership of crypto wallets or domains

• Archive family photos from iCloud or Google Photos

• Cancel unused subscriptions (Spotify, Netflix, etc.)

Most platforms have formal death-related policies:

• Google: Offers Inactive Account Manager

• Facebook: Allows memorialization or deletion

• Apple: Requires a Digital Legacy Contact or court order

Step 5: Document Everything

Executors are responsible for tracking assets and activity. Keep notes on:

• What you accessed

• What actions you took

• What information was preserved, transferred, or closed

• Any correspondence with platforms

This helps with probate filings, tax returns, and family transparency.

Didn't Leave a Digital Plan? You're Not Alone.

Most people don’t organize their digital life before they die. If you're trying to piece things together, you're doing the best you can with what you’ve got.

At End of an Era, we’re building tools that work for real-world executors, not just perfect scenarios. Whether you’re working through a spreadsheet of clues or trying to decode two-factor authentication, we’re here to make the digital piece of estate settlement less frustrating and more human.

Final Thoughts

Death has always brought paperwork. Now it brings passwords too.

Managing digital assets is no longer optional. It’s a necessary part of modern estate settlement. And while most people don’t leave perfect plans, that doesn’t mean you have to settle in the dark.

We’re here to help you handle the digital pieces of someone’s life with the same care as everything else - Sign up now!