Digital Will

noun

/ˈdɪdʒ.ɪ.təl wɪl/

In a Nutshell

A will that includes instructions for digital assets like online accounts, cryptocurrencies, and digital files.

PLAIN ENGLISH

A regular will that also covers your digital stuff—your emails, social media accounts, photos in the cloud, Bitcoin, online banking, and any other digital accounts or files. It tells your executor what to do with them.

⏱ When you'll encounter this term

  • Planning what happens to online accounts after death
  • You own cryptocurrency or other digital assets
  • Executor needs access to someone's email or social media
  • Family wants to preserve or delete digital photos/files
  • Updating estate plan to include modern assets
EXAMPLE

"My digital will includes passwords for my online accounts and instructions to transfer my Bitcoin to my children and close my social media profiles."

💡 Did you know?

Many online services have their own policies about what happens to accounts when someone dies. Some allow transfer, others require deletion. Your digital will should work within these terms of service.