Digital Legacy: What Happens to Your Online Accounts, Photos, and Digital Assets After You’re Gone?
Most people know they need a will, a power of attorney, and maybe a trust. But very few realize that their digital life also needs an estate plan. Today, our lives are stored online. Family photos in cloud accounts, financial statements delivered by email, social media profiles, online subscriptions, loyalty points, stored passwords, and even cryptocurrency. When someone passes away, these assets don’t simply transfer to loved ones unless specific legal steps have been taken.
For older adults, planning ahead for digital legacy is one of the most overlooked yet important parts of estate planning. Without clear instructions, families can face locked accounts, lost memories, or even financial consequences.
Here’s why digital asset planning matters. You can protect your online life once you pass.
What counts as a digital asset
These days, so much of what we own or value doesn’t live in a drawer or a safe — it lives online. From your email and photos to banking apps and social media, your digital presence holds real weight. These are your digital assets.
They include things like:
- Email accounts (like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook)
- Photos and videos stored on your phone or in the cloud
- Social media accounts — Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, even X
- Online banking and investment accounts
- Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Amazon Wallet
- Streaming or subscription services — Netflix, Apple Music, Spotify, and so on
- Rewards programs and airline miles
- Password managers
- Cryptocurrency wallets or NFTs
- And documents you’ve saved digitally instead of on paper
Some of this is financial. Some of it is sentimental. Either way, it matters — and the tricky part is that most of these platforms have strict privacy rules. Without the right access or authorization, families can run into major roadblocks trying to retrieve or manage a loved one’s digital life after something happens.
That’s why including digital assets in your planning isn’t just smart — it’s necessary.
Challenges families face without a plan
When someone passes away without a plan for their digital life, it can leave their family in a frustrating (and sometimes heartbreaking) spot. Without clear access or instructions, loved ones often run into unexpected roadblocks like:
- Locked accounts – Most tech companies have strict privacy policies. Even if you’re next of kin, they won’t release login info without the proper legal documents.
- Lost photos, messages, and memories – If no one can get into a cloud account or phone, meaningful memories like family pictures or saved voicemails can vanish for good.
- Missed bills or financial mix-ups – When statements are digital only, accounts can slip through the cracks. That might mean late fees, missed payments, or even services being cut off.
- Delays in closing the estate – Executors often waste time just trying to locate tax forms, investment info, or auto-renewing subscriptions buried in email accounts and apps.
- Risk of fraud or identity theft – Old inactive accounts can become easy targets for hackers if they’re left unmonitored.
This is why digital assets need to be part of the estate planning process.
Talk to a Virginia Beach, VA, Estate Planning Lawyer Today
The Law Office of Angela N. Manz represents the interests of Virginia Beach residents looking to draft or modify their estate plan. Call our Virginia Beach estate planning lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.