Digital assets and your Will: a practical guide

Much of life now happens online. We bank through apps, store photos in the cloud and keep in touch on social media. Some people hold investments or cryptoassets that exist only digitally. Yet many Wills say nothing about any of this. If your executors cannot find or access what you own, money can be lost and treasured memories can disappear.

What counts as a digital asset?

There is no single legal list, but digital assets often include:

• Financial accounts: online-only banks, savings apps, payment accounts and investment platforms
• Cryptoassets: such as Bitcoin, held on an exchange or in a private wallet
• Online businesses: websites, online shops, domain names and income from content
• Personal content: photos, videos, documents and emails
• Social media accounts: profiles that friends and family may want memorialised or closed
• Loyalty points and credits: air miles, gift balances and similar

Some of these have money value. Others matter mostly for sentimental reasons. Both are worth planning for.

Do you own it, or just have access?

This is an important difference. Money in an online bank account is yours and forms part of your estate. But many services, such as music or film libraries, give you a licence to use content rather than ownership. These licences often end when you die, and cannot be passed on. Each provider’s terms decide what happens.

Why you should not put passwords in your Will

Once probate is granted, a Will becomes a public document. Anyone can order a copy. Never write passwords, PINs or security codes into your Will. Sharing log-in details may also break some providers’ terms. Instead, keep a separate, secure record that tells your executors what exists and where to find more information.

A step-by-step plan

1. Make an inventory. List your digital accounts and assets. Note the provider, what the account is for, and roughly what it is worth.
2. Say where things are. Record which email address each account uses and where any recovery codes or hardware wallets are kept.
3. Use built-in legacy tools. Some large tech and social media companies let you nominate a person to manage or download your account after death. Set these up where available.
4. Store the record safely. Use a secure place, such as a sealed letter with your Will papers or a password manager with an emergency access feature.
5. Tell your executors it exists. They need to know where to look, even if they cannot open it until the time comes.
6. Review it regularly. Accounts change often. A yearly update is a sensible habit.

What your Will can say

A Will can:

• leave digital assets with money value to particular people
• give your executors clear authority to deal with digital assets
• appoint a separate person to handle digital matters, if your main executor is not confident with technology
• refer to a letter of wishes that explains what you want done with photos, social media and personal files

GOV.UK’s guide to writing a Will explains the basics of what a Will should include.

Cryptoassets need extra care

Cryptoassets can be lost forever if no one can access the private keys. If you hold crypto:

• record which exchanges or wallets you use
• keep recovery phrases secure and separate from your Will
• think about how a non-technical executor would find and use them
• remember that cryptoassets usually form part of your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes

Because values can change quickly, executors may need to act carefully and take advice.

Photos and memories

For many families, digital photos matter more than anything with a price tag. Consider backing up important photos to a shared family drive, or printing a selection. Tell your loved ones where your photo collections are stored.

Social media wishes

Think about whether you would like accounts closed, memorialised or left as they are. Some people are happy for friends to keep posting memories. Others prefer accounts removed. Writing your wishes down saves your family from guessing.

How executors usually deal with online accounts

After a death, executors normally contact each provider rather than logging in as the person who died. Most banks and platforms have a bereavement team. They will usually ask for a death certificate and, for larger sums, proof that the executor has authority, such as a grant of probate. Some providers can close an account or transfer its contents on request. Others have their own processes for releasing photos or files to family. A clear inventory makes each of these steps quicker and less stressful for the people you leave behind.

Common mistakes to avoid

• putting passwords in your Will
• forgetting online-only bank accounts
• leaving crypto with no record of where it is held
• never telling anyone your inventory exists
• not updating the record when accounts change

Where to go from here

To understand who will deal with your digital estate, read our guide to the executor’s role. For the bigger picture, see what estate planning includes, and why a Will matters.

If you would like a Will that covers your digital life, you can start a short Will enquiry. WillHarbour is an introduction service, not a law firm. We aim to introduce you to up to three appropriately qualified firms, and there is no charge to you for using our service.