Digital Asset Estate Planning in Maryland | What Happens to Digital Assets After Death

Most people think about passing down a home, savings, or family heirlooms when they plan their estate. What many families overlook is something just as important. Your digital life. Everything from online bank accounts and cryptocurrency to photos stored in the cloud represents real assets with both financial and emotional value. Without a clear plan, family members can struggle to access or manage these accounts, and in some cases, they may lose them entirely.

This is why digital asset planning has become a key part of modern estate planning. Understanding what happens to digital assets after death will help you organize your accounts, protect your information, and make things much easier for your loved ones.

What Counts as a Digital Asset

A digital asset is anything you own or control in digital form. This category is much wider than most people realize. It includes:

• Email accounts

• Online bank and investment accounts

• Cryptocurrency and digital wallets

• Social media profiles

• Cloud storage with photos, videos, and documents

• Online businesses, websites, or domain names

• Loyalty and rewards accounts

• Subscription services

• Digital content such as music, ebooks, or purchased apps

Each of these assets may require a separate process for access or transfer, and not all companies allow family members to manage accounts unless you have planned in advance.

What Happens to Digital Assets Without a Plan

If you pass away without leaving clear instructions, your heirs may run into several challenges. Passwords are usually the biggest roadblock. Even if a family member knows your login information, many companies prohibit unauthorized access. This can lead to frozen accounts, lost digital property, or months of delay while families try to work with customer service departments.

Social media accounts may stay active indefinitely unless a designated person is allowed to memorialize or remove them. Cryptocurrency can be lost forever if no one can reach the private keys. Cloud photos and important documents may disappear once subscription payments stop.

These problems are common, and they create unnecessary stress during an already difficult time.

How to Prepare Your Digital Estate

The good news is that a few simple steps can bring clarity and control to your digital life.

1. Make a Full Inventory

List all of your digital accounts and assets. Include login instructions, security questions, and notes about how each account is used.

2. Store Your Information Securely

Use a password manager or a secure location that your executor or trustee can access. Never rely on sticky notes or scattered documents that can be lost or misinterpreted.

3. Name a Digital Executor

Some states recognize a digital executor. This person can manage your online accounts, close or transfer digital property, and follow your instructions.

4. Add Digital Provisions to Your Estate Plan

Wills and trusts can include language that authorizes someone to access your digital accounts. Without this language, companies may refuse to release information, even to the personal representative of your estate.

5. Use Built In Legacy Tools

Platforms like Google, Apple, and Facebook allow you to choose who can access your account or data after your passing. This adds an extra layer of protection and helps ensure your wishes are followed.

Start Planning Your Digital Legacy Today

Digital assets are now a meaningful part of everyday life. Taking time to organize and plan for them can prevent confusion, protect your privacy, and help your loved ones handle your affairs with confidence.

If you would like help building a thoughtful and comprehensive estate plan that includes your digital life, the team at Elville and Associates is here to guide you. Contact us online to schedule a conversation.

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