How to Create a Digital Estate for Passwords and Accounts

Build a secure system to pass your digital accounts and passwords to loved ones when you die.

  1. List all accounts that matter financially. Start with accounts that hold money or cost money: bank accounts, investment accounts, credit cards, insurance policies, and subscription services. Include work accounts if they contain important files or benefits information. Skip social media for now — focus on accounts that affect your family's finances or contain important documents.
  2. Choose between a password manager or encrypted document. Most password managers offer emergency access features that let you designate trusted contacts who can request access after a waiting period. If you prefer a simpler approach, create an encrypted document with account names, usernames, and notes about what each account contains. Never store this information in plain text.
  3. Document account purposes and instructions. For each account, write a one-sentence explanation of what it's for and what your family should do with it. Example: 'Chase checking account — primary household expenses, keep open' or 'Adobe subscription — work software, cancel immediately.' Include phone numbers for customer service and note which accounts have automatic payments.
  4. Set up emergency contacts in your password manager. If using a password manager, add 2-3 trusted family members as emergency contacts with different waiting periods — 7 days for your spouse, 14 days for adult children. Test this feature annually by having a contact request access, then canceling the request. If using an encrypted document, give the password to your estate executor.
  5. Include access instructions in your will. Add a paragraph to your will that mentions your digital estate plan and tells your executor how to access it. Don't put passwords in your will — wills become public records. Instead, reference the location of your encrypted document or password manager emergency contacts.
  6. Update the list every 6 months. Set a calendar reminder to review your digital estate twice a year. Add new accounts, remove closed ones, and update any changed passwords or instructions. Pay special attention to new subscription services and investment accounts that your family might not know about.