Digital Assets in Wills: What You Need to Know

In a world where more of our lives exist online, your will must now account for more than just money, property, and possessions. From social media accounts to cryptocurrency, digital assets in wills are fast becoming a crucial part of estate planning.

Failing to plan for these can lead to lost memories, inaccessible funds, or confusion for your loved ones. In this guide, we explain what digital assets are, why they matter, and how to ensure they’re protected in your will.

What Are Digital Assets?

Digital assets are anything you own or control in a digital format. They may hold financial, sentimental, or practical value, and include:

• Online banking and investment accounts
• Cryptocurrencies (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum)
• Email and cloud storage accounts
• Social media profiles (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
• Digital photos and videos
• Subscription accounts (e.g. Netflix, Spotify, Amazon)
• Domain names and websites
• Online businesses (e.g. Etsy shops, digital content portfolios)
• Gaming accounts or in-app purchases
• NFTs and digital collectibles

Some of these may seem trivial—but to loved ones left behind, they can be emotionally or financially significant.

Why Digital Assets in Wills Matter

Without clear instructions, your digital assets may:

• Become inaccessible due to passwords or two-factor authentication
• Be deleted due to inactivity or lack of access
• Create legal complications, especially with international platforms
• Cause emotional distress if personal memories are lost
• Be missed entirely, meaning valuable assets aren’t passed on

Including digital assets in your will helps your executor understand what exists, how to access it, and how you want it handled.

Common Issues Without Digital Planning

1. Loss of Sentimental Items

Photos, videos, and personal emails stored online may be lost forever if no one knows they exist or how to access them.

2. Lost or Frozen Funds

Cryptocurrencies or PayPal balances without access keys may never be recovered. Digital wallets are often protected by encryption with no recovery options.

3. Breach of Terms of Service

Many platforms don’t allow account sharing or transfer. Even with a will, executors can face roadblocks if the provider’s terms of service prohibit access after death.

How to Include Digital Assets in Your Will

1. Create a Digital Assets Inventory

List all your digital assets in one place. Include:

• The platform or service name
• Username and account type
• Nature of the asset (financial, sentimental, etc.)
• Location (e.g. cloud, device, platform)
• Instructions for handling it (delete, memorialise, transfer)

⚠️ Security Tip: Don’t store passwords or private keys in your will, as it becomes a public document after probate. Instead, use a password manager or secure storage.

2. Choose a Digital Executor

In the UK, a digital executor isn’t a legally recognised term, but you can name someone you trust to manage your digital assets. Ideally, they should be tech-savvy and understand online accounts and security.

You can appoint this person in your will or assign them responsibilities informally—depending on the complexity of your digital estate.

3. Give Clear Legal Instructions

Your will should include a clause that gives your executors permission to:

• Access, manage, and delete digital accounts
• Transfer ownership of digital assets
• Contact online service providers

This ensures they’re not inadvertently breaching data protection or privacy laws when acting on your behalf.

4. Use Online Tools Where Available

Some platforms allow you to set preferences in the event of death:

• Google: Inactive Account Manager lets you set trusted contacts
• Facebook: Offers memorialisation settings and legacy contacts
• Apple: Digital Legacy lets you appoint people to access your data
• Instagram: Memorialisation options to preserve or remove profiles

Make use of these features to complement your legal plans.

FAQs About Digital Assets and Wills

Are digital assets taxed like other assets?

In the UK, digital assets such as cryptocurrency are subject to inheritance tax, just like physical assets. Valuation at the date of death is required, and executors must include them in the estate’s total value.

Can I give someone access to my passwords in my will?

It’s not advisable. Since wills become public after probate, any passwords listed in the document could pose a security risk. Use a secure password manager and provide access instructions separately.

What happens if I don’t include digital assets in my will?

Your executors may struggle to find or access them, and they could be lost. Accounts may be deleted due to inactivity, or funds could remain unclaimed. Including them ensures they’re handled according to your wishes.

Best Practices for Managing Digital Legacies

Review Regularly

Update your inventory and instructions annually or when new accounts are created.

Be Selective

Not all digital assets need to be passed on. Some may be personal or time-limited (like subscriptions).

Consider Sentiment

Digital assets often carry emotional weight. Be thoughtful about how you want loved ones to engage with your social media, photos, or personal messages.

How Level Supports Executors and Beneficiaries

Digital assets can delay probate—especially if they involve untapped financial value. If you’re acting as an executor and need to settle inheritance tax or access estate funds faster, Level’s Estate Advance can help.

Or if you’re expecting an inheritance but waiting on probate, Level’s Inheritance Advance gives you access to a portion of your future inheritance now—without waiting months for the process to complete.

We work quickly and compassionately—removing financial barriers so you can focus on what matters.

Final Thoughts

Digital assets are part of modern life—and they deserve to be part of modern estate planning. Whether they hold monetary worth or sentimental value, don’t leave them to chance.

Start by creating a digital inventory, update your will, and let loved ones know where to find instructions. With the right planning, your digital legacy will be secure, accessible, and handled exactly as you intended.