A woman called me six months after her husband died. She was still trying to cancel his Netflix subscription because she couldn’t figure out which email he used, and customer service wouldn’t help without account details.
She was paying $17 a month for a service that reminded her every time she opened her laptop that he was gone.
This is digital estate planning—protecting all the digital pieces of your life that your family will need to deal with when you’re not there to help them. And it’s simpler than you think.
The Hidden Crisis in Every Family
The numbers are staggering:
- 73% of families can’t access $25,000+ in digital assets when loved ones pass
- Average family has 150+ digital accounts across banking, social media, cloud storage, and business platforms
- Digital assets worth $35,000+ per family including cryptocurrency, online businesses, and digital content
- 70% of families have no plan for accessing digital assets during emergencies
- Average recovery cost: $23,000 when families try to access digital assets without proper planning
The problem isn’t just about money—it’s about memories, relationships, and family continuity.
When someone dies or becomes incapacitated, families face an impossible choice: fight technology companies for months to access photos and messages, or watch years of precious memories disappear forever.
This guide exists because every family deserves better than that.
What Digital Estate Planning Is
Think about everything on your phone and computer: banking, photos, subscriptions, investments. Now imagine your spouse handling all that without knowing your passwords or which accounts exist.
Digital estate planning solves this. It’s not about complex technology—it’s about organization and access. Making sure your family knows what exists and can access it.
If you have a smartphone, you need digital estate planning.
Why This Has Become Urgent
Ten years ago, families needed to cancel cable and handle a computer. Today they need to:
- Access banking apps to pay bills
- Find cryptocurrency accounts worth thousands
- Cancel dozens of subscriptions
- Recover cloud-stored family photos
- Handle investment accounts managed through apps
- Manage social media memorials and business income accounts
We moved our financial lives and memories online without thinking about what happens when we’re gone.
Companies make it harder: Enhanced security means accounts lock down tight. Two-factor authentication and privacy policies work against grieving families. Simple customer service calls now require court orders.
The real cost: Beyond financial losses, families spend months during grief piecing together unknown digital lives. They lose photos, memories, and investment opportunities while paying for services they can’t cancel.
What You Actually Have
Most people underestimate their digital footprint:
Everyone has:
- Photos: Thousands on your phone
- Email: Years of family communications, account confirmations
- Apps: Banking, investment, payment apps with money
- Subscriptions: Average 12 services (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
Financial Digital Assets
Banking and Investment Accounts:
- Online banking: Checking and savings accounts
- Investment platforms: Robinhood, E*TRADE, Fidelity, Vanguard
- Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies
- Payment apps: PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle
- Credit card accounts: Online credit card management
- Retirement accounts: 401(k), IRA, and other retirement accounts
Business and Income Accounts:
- Freelance platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer
- E-commerce stores: Shopify, Etsy, Amazon seller accounts
- Online businesses: Websites, blogs, and online services
- Professional networks: LinkedIn, industry-specific platforms
- Client management: CRM systems and client databases
Personal Digital Assets
Communication and Social Media:
- Email accounts: Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, and other email services
- Social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok
- Messaging apps: WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Discord
- Video calls: Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams
- Professional communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, other work platforms
Entertainment and Media:
- Streaming services: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Spotify
- Gaming accounts: Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo
- Digital content: Movies, music, books, and other digital purchases
- Photo and video storage: Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive
- Creative content: YouTube channels, podcasts, and other creative work
Business and Professional Assets
Website and Domain Assets:
- Domain names: Personal and business domain names
- Website hosting: Website hosting accounts and services
- Content management: WordPress, Squarespace, and other CMS platforms
- Analytics and SEO: Google Analytics, Search Console, and other tools
- Email marketing: Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and other email services
Software and Tools:
- Productivity software: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Suite
- Project management: Asana, Trello, Monday.com, and other tools
- Design tools: Canva, Figma, Sketch, and other design software
- Development tools: GitHub, GitLab, and other development platforms
- Cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and other cloud services
Most adults have:
- Digital documents: Tax records, insurance policies, medical records stored online
- Professional accounts: Software licenses, memberships, remote work platforms
- Rewards: Airline miles, hotel points, credit card rewards worth thousands
High-value assets:
- Investments: Robinhood, Coinbase, Acorns accounts
- Cryptocurrency: Small purchases from years ago now worth much more
- Business assets: Domains, e-commerce stores, digital products
Use our Digital Asset Calculator to see your total. Most people are surprised.
Where to Focus
- Young/single: Photos, social media, basic finances. Set up free Google, Apple, Facebook legacy features (20 minutes)
- Have family: Photos, financial accounts, important documents. More comprehensive planning needed
- 50+: Complex assets, retirement accounts, healthcare. Consider professional guidance
- Business owner: Separate business/personal assets immediately. Business must survive without you
What to Do Now
Today (10 minutes): Take our Digital Legacy Assessment for personalized focus areas.
This week (20 minutes): Set up free Google, Apple, Facebook legacy features.
Check your risk: Use Digital Asset Calculator to see total value at risk.
This month: Get comprehensive protection that covers everything automatically.
Why This Matters
Digital estate planning isn’t about technology—it’s about people you love.
Your spouse accessing bank accounts to pay the mortgage. Your kids having family photos as adults. Not leaving family to guess passwords during grief.
Your digital life is your modern photo album, financial records, family communications—your life story. It deserves protection.
Don’t let it disappear because of forgotten passwords.
Real Stories: What Happens Without Planning
Samantha’s Story - The Forgotten Investment Account “My dad had been investing in Robinhood for three years. When he died, we found the app on his phone but couldn’t access it. It took four months and $3,000 in legal fees to recover $18,000 in stocks. The worst part? The market dropped 20% during those four months while we waited.”
Mike’s Story - The Business That Almost Died “My partner handled all our online business accounts. When he had a stroke, I couldn’t access our customer database, payment processor, or even our business email. We nearly lost everything because I didn’t know the passwords. Our customers thought we had gone out of business.”
Jennifer’s Story - The Lost Memories “My mom had 15 years of family photos on her iPhone and Google Photos. When she died, Apple and Google both said they couldn’t help without her password and two-factor authentication. We lost thousands of photos of my kids growing up. I would pay anything to get those back.”
Tom’s Story - The Cryptocurrency Surprise “We found out after my brother died that he had $50,000 in Bitcoin. The problem? It was all on his phone with a wallet app we’d never heard of. The recovery phrase was nowhere to be found. That money is gone forever, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Common Mistakes That Cost Families Thousands
Mistake 1: “My spouse knows my passwords”
- Reality: Passwords change, accounts multiply, and memory fails under stress
- Solution: Use a password manager with family emergency access
- Cost of mistake: 3-6 months trying to recover accounts, $5,000-$15,000 in legal fees
Mistake 2: “I’ll write everything down someday”
- Reality: “Someday” never comes, and handwritten lists become outdated immediately
- Solution: Use automated tools that stay updated as your digital life changes
- Cost of mistake: Permanent loss of assets, missed opportunities, family stress
Mistake 3: “My family can call the companies”
- Reality: Privacy laws and security measures prevent companies from helping families
- Solution: Set up official legacy contacts and beneficiary designations
- Cost of mistake: Months of frustration, court orders required, high legal costs
Mistake 4: “I don’t have anything valuable online”
- Reality: Most families have $35,000+ in digital assets they don’t recognize
- Solution: Take an inventory of all your digital accounts and their value
- Cost of mistake: Permanent loss of assets, subscriptions that continue charging
Mistake 5: “I’ll deal with it when I’m older”
- Reality: 40% of digital estate cases involve people under 50
- Solution: Set up basic protection now, expand it as your digital life grows
- Cost of mistake: Unexpected loss leaves family with no access to anything
The Three Levels of Digital Estate Planning
Level 1: Basic Protection (Everyone Needs This)
Time investment: 30 minutes Cost: Free Protection: Essential accounts and memories
What to set up:
- Google Inactive Account Manager
- Apple Digital Legacy Contact
- Facebook Legacy Contact
- Basic password sharing with spouse
Best for: Young adults, simple digital lives, basic family protection
Level 2: Comprehensive Protection (Most Families)
Time investment: 2-3 hours Cost: $10-50/month Protection: All digital assets and accounts
What to set up:
- Professional digital estate planning service
- Secure password management with family access
- Digital asset inventory and documentation
- Legacy instructions for all major accounts
Best for: Families with children, homeowners, anyone with significant digital assets
Level 3: Advanced Protection (Complex Situations)
Time investment: 5-10 hours Cost: $100-500/month Protection: Business assets, cryptocurrency, complex family situations
What to set up:
- Professional legal documentation
- Business continuity planning
- Cryptocurrency and investment account management
- Multi-generational family coordination
Best for: Business owners, high net worth families, complex digital assets
Start Today
Every family that lost digital assets planned to “get organized someday.”
Someday is today.
Your action plan:
Right now (2 minutes): Take the Digital Legacy Assessment for your personalized action plan.
Today (10 minutes): Use the Digital Asset Calculator to see what you’re protecting.
This week (30 minutes): Set up basic protection - Google Inactive Account Manager, Apple Digital Legacy, Facebook legacy contacts.
This month: Get comprehensive protection that covers everything automatically.
The woman who called about her husband’s Netflix account? She spent six months and $2,000 trying to access accounts worth over $40,000. All of it could have been prevented with 30 minutes of planning.
Don’t let your family go through that.
For comprehensive protection, start with Eternal Vault—free to start, 30 minutes to protect your entire digital life.
Questions? Talk to our team about your specific situation.
