Your Digital Estate. We all have a digital footprint which will need to be taken care of.

June 4, 2025

Leaving clear, secure instructions for your digital estate is crucial for protecting your online accounts, digital assets, and personal data after you’re gone. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do it properly:

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1. Inventory Your Digital Assets

Start by listing everything you own or use digitally:

• Accounts: Email, social media, banking, subscriptions, cloud storage, etc.
• Devices: Phones, laptops, external drives, tablets.
• Digital assets: Photos, videos, crypto, domain names, online businesses, etc.
• Passwords: Stored in a password manager, written down, or in your head.

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2. Choose a Digital Executor

This is someone you trust to carry out your instructions. Choose someone:

• Tech-savvy (or at least competent with accounts and security).
• Responsible and trustworthy.
• Willing to take on the role (get their consent).

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3. Use a Password Manager

Store all your logins and sensitive info in one secure place (like 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane). Then:

• Share emergency access or a master password with your digital executor (via secure method).
• Alternatively, store master access info in a physical safe or with your lawyer.

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4. Write Clear Instructions

Draft a document that includes:

• What you want done with each asset/account (e.g. delete, memorialize, transfer).
• Who should receive digital photos, videos, business files, etc.
• What accounts should be closed vs. maintained.

Use plain language. Keep it practical.

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5. Include It in Your Will (But Not the Passwords)

Mention your digital estate plan in your legal will:

• Name your digital executor.
• Refer to the secure location of the instructions and passwords (don’t put them in the will itself—wills become public).

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6. Secure and Share Access Thoughtfully

• Give your digital executor the document and explain it—or store it securely and tell them how to access it.
• Keep a backup in a safe, safe deposit box, or encrypted file.

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7. Update Regularly

Every 6–12 months:

• Review your digital inventory.
• Update passwords and instructions.
• Check that your executor is still willing and able.

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Digital Estate Instructions Template

Here’s a template you can customise and to be read by your digital executor when needed.

Digital Estate Instructions

Full Name:
Date:
Primary Contact (Digital Executor):

• Name:
• Phone:
• Email:

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SECTION 1: LOCATION OF ACCESS INFORMATION

Password Manager Used: (e.g., 1Password, Bitwarden, etc.)
Access Details:

• Location of master password: (e.g., in home safe / with attorney / sealed envelope with executor)
• Backup access instructions: (optional)

Encryption Keys / Backup Devices Location:
(e.g., USB drive in desk drawer, external SSD in safe, cloud backup)

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SECTION 2: ACCOUNTS & INSTRUCTIONS

EMAIL

• Primary Email:
  • Provider:
  • Action: (e.g., transfer access, archive, delete)
• Other Emails:
  • [List each with instructions]

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Platform	Username	Action (delete, memorialize, archive)
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
Others

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FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS

• Online banking: [Bank Name] – Transfer/Notify/Close
• Investment platforms: [e.g., Robinhood, Coinbase]
• PayPal / Venmo / Cash App: [Instructions]
• Crypto wallets:
  • Wallet type:
  • Location of seed phrase/private key:
  • Instructions:

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CLOUD STORAGE & FILES

• Google Drive / Dropbox / iCloud / OneDrive:
  • Action: Transfer files to [Person] / Download & Archive / Delete
• Personal documents, photos, creative works:
  • Location:
  • Instructions:

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DEVICES

Device	Location	Passcode	Action
Phone
Laptop
External drives

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SUBSCRIPTIONS / SERVICES

List accounts that should be cancelled to avoid charges:

• Netflix, Spotify, Amazon, etc.
• Domain hosting (e.g., GoDaddy, Squarespace)
• Software (e.g., Adobe, Office365)

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SECTION 3: PERSONAL WISHES

• What you’d like preserved (photos, blog posts, videos, etc.)
• What you’d like deleted (messages, browser history, unfinished projects)
• Messages or legacy notes to specific people (optional)

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SECTION 4: FINAL NOTES

Legal Will Location:
Attorney Name & Contact Info:
Other Relevant Instructions:

Once done you can store instructions and credentials with a Password Manager

• 1Password – has “Emergency Kit” feature and secure file storage.
• Bitwarden – lets you store secure notes and grant emergency access.
• Dashlane – supports secure storage and access delegation.

Alternatively

If you have a safe, store a printed copy

Lodge with your solicitor and have it mentioned in your will

Encrypt and store in the Cloud use Veracrypt or BitLocker to encrypt a document before uploading.

Whatever you do make sure you tell your executor.

Use your digital footprint to Create a Story of Your Life.