We know this can feel awkward to sort out. A digital legacy is the information you leave online after you die. It includes accounts, photos, subscriptions and access credentials.
Our aim is simple. We will set out a clear, UK-focused checklist you can complete in one sitting and update as things change.
Why it matters: linking your wishes to your will makes things easier for family and loved ones. It stops surprise charges and hidden accounts from causing extra stress.
We explain what a digital estate covers in everyday terms. We show how this fits with wider estate planning and give practical steps on what to list, where to store details, and what decisions to make.
By the end you will have a simple routine to keep your plan current as platforms and passwords change. That helps protect your family when they need clarity most.
Key Takeaways
- Keep a clear record of accounts and access details for easy handover.
- Link your online wishes to your will to reduce admin for family.
- Include email, banking, cloud storage and subscription services.
- Store information securely and update it regularly.
- Focus on protecting loved ones from surprise costs and hidden accounts.
What a digital legacy means for your loved ones
After someone dies, their online presence often creates practical and emotional work for family.
We use two simple ideas: your information — the notes, photos and messages you leave behind — and your digital assets — the accounts and content that sit behind logins and platform rules.
Digital assets vs the things you leave online
Typical assets include email inboxes, cloud photo libraries, messages, paid subscriptions and anything with financial value such as online banking and crypto.
Why this matters in the UK today
Nearly everyone in Britain uses the internet and many have multiple social media accounts. That means families often face a pile of online accounts after a death.
Common problems for relatives
- Locked accounts and no way to reset passwords via email.
- Sentimental media and photos that become inaccessible.
- Subscriptions that keep charging while loved ones search for the right accounts.
“We found a box of memories but no key to open them.”
Our aim is simple: reduce stress, protect privacy and make sure the right people get the right access at the right time.
Digital legacy planning checklist uk
A few practical steps now will save loved ones hours of guesswork later.
Choose a digital executor you trust. Ask permission first. Pick someone who understands basic tech and can work with the will executor when needed.
Record where your wishes are stored
Write clear instructions about where a document lives and how it links to your will or letter of wishes. Do not place passwords in your will. Wills can become public after probate.
Build a complete list of online accounts
Start with email, then add banking, subscriptions and smaller shopping logins. Note who should have access and what each account holds.
Decide actions and flag urgent items
For every account choose: close, memorialise, transfer or keep private. Mark paid services and any sensitive material as urgent to act on first.
Plan sentimental media and review routine
Say who may keep photos, videos or music libraries. Set a review every six months so instructions stay current as passwords and policies change.
| Task | Who | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a digital executor | Named person | Ask permission; add contact details |
| Record where wishes are stored | Executor & digital executor | Link to will / letter of wishes |
| Make a full accounts list | Owner | Include email, banking, subscriptions |
| Decide action per account | Executor | Close, transfer, memorialise or keep private |
| Review routine | Owner | Update every six months |
Create your digital assets and accounts inventory
Start with the accounts that unlock access to everything else. We show a clear way to build an inventory that covers money, memories and services. Keep each entry short and practical so someone else can follow it.
Start with email
Email often controls password resets. Note every email address and recovery options first. That helps families regain access to other accounts quickly.
Financial accounts and wealth
Include online banking, PayPal, investment platforms and crypto wallets. Record where value sits and whether private keys exist.
Social, media and storage
List social profiles, messaging services and storage: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, iCloud, Google Photos, Google Drive and Dropbox.
Commercial assets
Don’t forget domains, websites, online shops and income streams. These are often missed but can have real value for an estate.
What to capture per account
- URL, username, brief purpose
- Estimated value to the estate and critical details
- Your wish: close, transfer, keep or memorialise
| Category | What to record | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Address, recovery options, linked accounts | High | |
| Banking & Payments | Bank name, login email, last transactions | High |
| Storage & Media | Service name, folder locations, photos count | Medium |
| Commercial | Domain, platform login, revenue details | High |
To see a secure example and templates, create a secure inventory with our guidance.
Write clear digital wishes your executor can act on
A short, clear set of wishes makes it simple for an executor to act. We turn your inventory into step-by-step instructions so nothing is left to guess. Clear wording protects privacy and reduces upset after death.
Social media preferences: memorialisation, deletion and announcements
For each social media account state whether to memorialise, delete or keep it active for a set time. Say if an announcement should be posted and who may make it.
Privacy choices: what stays private, what can be shared, and with whom
List items that must remain private. Name specific people who can access photos, messages or documents. Use plain language so an executor can follow the instructions without legal help.
Timing matters: when accounts should be closed or kept online
Give clear timing notes. You might want profiles kept online until after a funeral, then closed. For household accounts—like energy portals or security apps—state when handover should happen so property and services keep working.
- Practical instruction: write one action per account.
- Set realistic expectations: note platform policies that might prevent access.
- Reduce strain: avoid instructions that cause extra emotional work for the executor.
“Short, named instructions help an executor act quickly and kindly.”
For an example of how to phrase wishes and link them to your will see our digital legacy guide. Keep the language simple and review your wishes regularly.
Store access details safely without putting passwords in your will
Keep account keys secure and tell your executor where to find them when needed. Do not write passwords in your will. Wills can become public after probate, so that would expose sensitive details.
Safer storage options include a reputable password manager, a written record kept in a locked safe, secure locked notes on a device, or sealed instructions held by your solicitor.
How an executor finds what they need
Use your estate plan to signpost where the access information sits and who may use it. Name your executor and digital executor and state the storage method. That keeps the account inventory and logins separate.
- Separate document: keep accounts and wishes in one document and passwords in another.
- Authorised access: name who can open the safe or use the manager.
- Check-in routine: review master passwords, safe keys and solicitor details yearly.
“Clear signposts help an executor act quickly without compromising privacy.”
For a secure way to link this to your estate plan, see our secure estate planning guidance.
Conclusion
Completing the account inventory is the single task that makes the biggest difference.
It gives you a practical plan that protects your assets and reduces stress for family. It also keeps your wishes under your control when you are gone.
Next steps: set aside time this week to finish the list. Tell your chosen executor you want them to help. Store access information securely and link its location in your estate plan. Review the notes every six months.
Quick wins: prioritise email, then paid accounts, then sentimental profiles on key platforms.
When you are ready, see how to protect your digital legacy. Stay calm. This simple routine makes life easier for the people you love.