What Happens to Your Digital Assets After You Die?
September 24, 2025
We spend so much of our lives online that it’s easy to forget just how much we’ve tucked away in digital spaces. Photos on Google Drive. A lifetime of emails. Bank apps, crypto wallets, even the music and books we’ve bought but never actually “own.” All of these things add up to what people now call your digital assets.
The tricky question is: what happens to them when you’re no longer here?
A Hidden Part of Your Estate
Think about how a traditional estate works. You leave a house, some savings, maybe a car, and your family knows how to claim those things. But with digital property, it is different. Passwords lock things up. Privacy laws keep companies from handing over your accounts. In many cases, providers do not even recognize heirs unless you have given explicit permission.
That means your online life, all those accounts and files, might just sit there untouched. Some platforms will eventually delete them. Others freeze them in time. And unless someone has the right access, even valuable things like cryptocurrency can disappear forever.
Why Families Struggle
It is easy to imagine the problems. Maybe your daughter knows you kept all the family photos in your Google account but cannot get past the two-factor authentication. Or perhaps you held a few thousand dollars in a crypto wallet that requires a private key only you knew. Even something as simple as canceling a subscription can be a nightmare if nobody has your login.
The result? Frustration, wasted time, and sometimes permanent loss.
The Law and the Fine Print
Adding to the confusion are the laws and service agreements. In many places, executors do not automatically get digital access. US states that follow a law called RUFADAA allow it only if you have given written consent, usually in your will. Big tech companies add another layer: Google lets you set up an Inactive Account Manager, Facebook has legacy contact settings, and Apple has its own Digital Legacy program. If you do not turn those on, your family may have no options.
So between legal barriers and tech restrictions, the default outcome is often nothing happens and accounts remain locked away.
How You Can Plan Ahead
The solution is not complicated, but it does take a little thought:
- Make a list of important accounts. It does not have to be detailed, but your family should at least know what exists.
- Decide who should handle them. Pick someone you trust and tell them they will be your digital executor.
- Write it into your will. A line or two giving that person authority can make a big difference.
- Use built-in tools. Set up legacy contacts where available. It only takes a few minutes.
- Keep access information safe. A password manager with emergency access, or a sealed note in a safe, works better than trying to share details in casual ways.
The key is to make sure someone you trust knows how to act when the time comes.
One practical way to protect your digital legacy is by using a secure service like InsureYouKnow. It allows you to store important documents, account information, and passwords in a safe, encrypted digital vault. You can control who has access and receive reminders to keep your records up to date, making it easier for your loved ones to manage your digital assets according to your wishes.
Why It Matters
Digital assets are not just about money. Sure, cryptocurrency or an online business can carry real financial weight, but the sentimental side matters just as much. Family photos, voice notes, or personal letters stored in an inbox can be treasures to those you leave behind. Without a plan, those things may vanish into the cloud forever.
By setting aside an hour or two to prepare, you can spare your loved ones unnecessary stress and give them access to the parts of your life that matter most.