Should I list my passwords in my will?

No. A will can become public after probate, so never put passwords or keys in it. Reference a separate, securely stored inventory and grant your executor authority to access it.

Can my executor access my online accounts?

With clear authorization in your will and the necessary access details, often yes — but platform terms and privacy laws can still impose limits. Explicit authority helps.

What happens to my cryptocurrency if I die?

Crypto passes through your estate, but only if your executor can find the wallet keys or recovery phrases. Without that information it is effectively lost, so secure documentation is essential.

Do social media accounts pass through my will?

Access and control can be addressed in your will, but each platform has its own rules and legacy tools. Coordinate platform options with your will for the best result.

Digital Assets in Your Will: A Modern Guide

We live much of our lives online, yet most wills ignore digital assets entirely. Cryptocurrency, online accounts, photos, and even loyalty points can have real financial or sentimental value. Planning for them prevents loss and frustration for your executor. This is general information, not legal advice — consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction.

What are digital assets?

Digital assets include anything you own or control in digital form: cryptocurrency and online investment accounts, email and cloud storage, social media, domain names, online businesses, photos, and even reward points.

Some have clear monetary value, like crypto or a monetized channel; others are mainly sentimental, like family photos. Both deserve a plan.

Why do digital assets need special attention?

Unlike a bank account, many digital assets are protected by passwords and encryption. Without access information, an executor may be unable to reach them — and crypto in particular can be lost forever if keys are unknown.

Terms of service also complicate matters. Many platforms restrict transferring accounts, and privacy laws can limit what an executor may access without clear authorization.

How do you include digital assets in your will?

Your will can grant your executor explicit authority to access, manage, and distribute your digital assets, which helps satisfy platform and privacy requirements.

Avoid putting actual passwords in your will — it becomes a public document after probate. Instead, reference a separate, securely stored inventory and keep it updated.

How should you store access information?

Maintain a secure inventory of accounts and how to access them — for example, in a reputable password manager or a sealed document kept with your will. Tell your executor it exists and how to unlock it.

For cryptocurrency, document where keys and recovery phrases are stored using secure methods. Losing this information means losing the asset entirely.

What about specific platform tools?

Some services offer their own legacy tools — for instance, options to memorialize a social account or to nominate someone to manage it after death. Use these where available, in coordination with your will.

Keeping your will current as you open and close accounts is key. iFinallyWill includes lifetime updates, making it easy to revise your digital-asset instructions over time.

Frequently asked questions

Should I list my passwords in my will?: No. A will can become public after probate, so never put passwords or keys in it. Reference a separate, securely stored inventory and grant your executor authority to access it.
Can my executor access my online accounts?: With clear authorization in your will and the necessary access details, often yes — but platform terms and privacy laws can still impose limits. Explicit authority helps.
What happens to my cryptocurrency if I die?: Crypto passes through your estate, but only if your executor can find the wallet keys or recovery phrases. Without that information it is effectively lost, so secure documentation is essential.
Do social media accounts pass through my will?: Access and control can be addressed in your will, but each platform has its own rules and legacy tools. Coordinate platform options with your will for the best result.