Elevated Estate Planning, P.S. | November 5, 2026 | Estate Planning
Your estate plan should protect more than your home, savings, and personal belongings. Many people also own valuable digital assets, such as online accounts, photos, and cryptocurrency. These assets may be hard for loved ones to find or manage after someone dies.
Including digital assets in your estate plan can help your family avoid confusion and protect important information. Here is how to get started.
What Are Digital Assets in Estate Planning?
Digital assets are records, accounts, and other items stored in electronic form. Some have financial value, while others hold personal memories or important information.
Common examples include:
- Email and social media accounts
- Online banking and investment accounts
- Cryptocurrency and digital wallets
- Digital photos, videos, and documents
- Websites, blogs, and online businesses
- Online payment accounts
- Cloud storage and subscription services
Not every digital asset can be transferred to another person. Some accounts are controlled by the service provider’s terms.
Knowing what you own is the first step toward creating a plan that addresses these assets.
Make a List of Your Digital Assets
Start by making an inventory of your online accounts and digital property. Include the name of each account, where it is located, and why it matters.
For financial accounts, record the institution’s name and the type of asset. For personal accounts, note whether you want someone to save photos, close the account, or take another action. Keep this list somewhere secure and update it regularly.
You should not put passwords or cryptocurrency recovery phrases directly in your will. A will may become part of the public probate record, which could expose sensitive information.
Decide Who Should Manage Your Digital Assets
Think about who you trust to handle your digital property if you die or become unable to manage it yourself. You may want your personal representative, trustee, or agent under a power of attorney to handle certain accounts. These people may need legal authority to request access or manage digital records.
Choose someone who is organized, trustworthy, and comfortable using technology. You can also leave instructions about what should happen to specific assets. For example, you might want family photos saved, a website maintained, or certain accounts closed.
Clear directions can make these tasks easier for the person handling your affairs.
Understand Washington’s Digital Asset Laws
Washington has adopted the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act. This law provides a process for certain authorized people, called fiduciaries, to request access to digital assets. However, it does not automatically grant them access to every account.
Some online services offer tools that let you choose who may access your information after your death. Under Washington law, those tools can take priority over directions in your estate planning documents.
Your will, trust, or power of attorney can also address digital assets, subject to legal limits. An estate planning lawyer can help you understand what authority your documents should provide.
Store Access Information Safely
Even when someone has legal authority, finding and accessing digital accounts can be difficult. Consider using a password manager or another secure system to organize account information. Make sure a trusted person knows how to locate the information when needed.
For cryptocurrency, access may depend on private keys or recovery phrases. Losing this information could make the assets impossible to recover. Keep sensitive details separate from documents that may become public.
Review your security plan when you change passwords, open accounts, or purchase new digital assets. This helps keep your instructions useful over time.
Review Your Digital Estate Plan Regularly
Digital assets can change quickly. You may open new accounts, stop using old services, or buy property that exists only online.
Review your digital asset inventory when you update your estate plan. Make sure your instructions still reflect your wishes and that the people you selected remain appropriate. You should also check whether online services have changed their account access rules.
Regular reviews can help your family avoid missing valuable assets or losing important memories.
Contact the Spokane Estate Planning Lawyers at Elevated Estate Planning, P.S. for Help Today
Planning for digital assets can help protect your finances, personal information, and family memories. Without clear instructions, your loved ones may face challenges managing your online accounts.
At Elevated Estate Planning, P.S., our Spokane estate planning attorneys help Washington families create plans that reflect their needs and goals. We can explain your options for addressing digital property in wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.
For more information, please contact Elevated Estate Planning, P.S. to schedule a free consultation. We have four convenient locations in Washington, including Spokane, Kennewick, and Yakima.
Elevated Estate Planning, P.S. Spokane
9507 N Division St # B, Spokane, WA 99218
(509) 328-2150
Elevated Estate Planning, P.S. Kennewick
6855 W Clearwater Ave A103, Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 328-2150
Elevated Estate Planning, P.S. Yakima
1115 W Lincoln Ave Suite 109, Yakima, WA 98902
(509) 328-2150