We live with much of life behind logins and apps. A modern estate is no longer just a house, savings or treasured possessions. Many valuable items and memories sit hidden behind passwords.
This matters for families across the United Kingdom. If executors cannot find or access an account, money and memories can remain locked away for years. A will goes through probate, so sensitive login details must not be written there.
We use the phrase digital legacy to mean both financial items, such as PayPal balances and cryptocurrency, and sentimental files like family photos and videos. Which? found only 5% of will-makers mentioned such holdings, so this gap is common.
This short guide will help you map what you own, pick who should manage it and give clear, practical instructions without creating security risks. We offer general advice and signpost when it is sensible to speak to a solicitor for complex estates.
With a simple plan and regular reviews, most online items can be handled smoothly and respectfully.
Key Takeaways
- Modern estates include many logged items beyond physical possessions.
- Make a list, name a trusted manager and avoid placing passwords in a will.
- Both monetary holdings and sentimental files form part of a digital legacy.
- Which? research shows most people overlook these matters.
- Seek solicitor help for complex estates; review plans regularly.
- For practical steps, see our guide: leaving online accounts and digital assets in your will.
What counts as digital assets in a UK will and why they matter
Some of what we own today lives on servers rather than on shelves. We define these items simply: things you own or control in electronic form that carry real value or meaning.
Financial holdings with real value
Examples: cryptocurrency wallets, PayPal balances, online investment accounts and loyalty balances. These can have clear monetary value and, if unknown, may never reach beneficiaries.
Personal legacy items
Photos, videos, email inboxes and cloud storage such as iCloud or Google Drive hold memory and family history. Our typical approach is to preserve and share these respectfully.
Identity, media and business property
Social media profiles, gaming accounts and monetised websites or domains can carry both sentimental and commercial value. Some are transferable; others are licensed.
- Key point: Platform terms and property rights can limit inheritance. Not everything is freely passed on.
- For practical guidance on defining what you own, see what counts as a digital asset.
- For reasons to include these items in estate planning, read our note on including them in a will.
How leaving online accounts and digital assets in your will uk works in practice
Start by making a simple, usable inventory that a trusted person can act on at once. We recommend a short, tabular list that shows platform, what the item is and why it matters.
Record where items live: phones, laptops, cloud services, password managers and crypto wallets. Note approximate value and who should be contacted.
Practical steps for executors
Never place passwords or seed phrases in a will. A will may become public during probate, so store access details securely. Use a sealed letter, an emergency feature in a reputable password manager, or solicitor-held storage.
| Platform | What it is | Instruction | Executor role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo cloud | Family memories | Preserve and share with beneficiaries | Download and archive |
| Payment service | Balance or subscription | Close or transfer balance | Contact provider |
| Crypto wallet | Private keys needed | Transfer if keys accessible; otherwise note loss risk | Follow written instructions |
Include a short clause in estate papers to authorise access, transfer or deletion. Set clear instructions per entry: close, memorialise, transfer or preserve.
Review the list regularly. Platforms change; a small update saves time and reduces stress for beneficiaries.
UK legal, platform and tax considerations your estate plan should cover
After death, a mix of law, platform rules and practical steps decides who can reach what. We explain the risks so families avoid surprises during probate or administration.
What can go wrong: even valuable property may be inaccessible if no one has authority or correct information. Probate can make a will public, so never place credentials in estate papers.
Platform terms and licensing
Many providers treat content as licensed rather than owned. Social networks often offer memorialisation. Apple and Google have legacy tools but property rights vary by service.
Intestacy and valuation
Without wills, representatives may struggle to locate items. All relevant property forms part of the taxable estate and must be valued at date of death.
Tax, volatility and complex estates
Cryptocurrency needs careful valuation because prices swing. Complex estates with domains, trusts or international platforms usually require a professional team or solicitors.
| Issue | What to check | Practical step |
|---|---|---|
| Probate visibility | Public documents | Keep credentials out of wills; use secure storage |
| Platform terms | Licensing limits | Note provider procedures (Facebook, Google, Apple) |
| Tax valuation | Date of death value | Get market evidence, especially for cryptocurrency |
| Complex estates | International services, IP, income sites | Engage solicitors and a team to draft clear instructions |
For guidance on subscriptions, media and cloud holdings see our note on protecting subscriptions and media. Clear drafting saves time, tax and distress for people who must act.
Conclusion
A clear plan for online property protects value and saves people time at a difficult moment.
We agree: digital legacy forms part of any modern estate. Make a short inventory of email, photos, videos, social media accounts and any financial asset. Share who should act as executor and how they can find information.
Keep credentials out of the will. Use a password manager, a sealed instruction or solicitor-held note to preserve security.
Review this list each year. Check platform terms and valuation for money held in wallets or payment services. For complex cases, speak to solicitors and build a small team to draft clear instructions.
Next step: start a simple record today and visit our guide on including photos, emails and accounts.