Author24th October 2025 | Gabriel Cooke | Private Wealth, Digital Assets, Legacy
We have all felt the frustration of desperately digging through post it notes and fuzzy memories, trying to remember which of our four passwords we used for a given online service. It’s hard enough when these passwords are your own, and the stakes are no more than a Netflix login. Now imagine you are an executor, earnestly trusted with administering the estate of a close relative, and the stakes aren’t streaming, but thousands of pounds worth of inheritance.
From online banking to Spotify playlists, much of our lives now exist in the digital world. But while most people make careful plans for their physical assets, few stop to consider what happens to their digital ones when they die.
What is a digital asset?
Digital assets are any possessions stored online or on electronic devices. These include obvious items such as cryptocurrency, online bank accounts, and investment platforms, but also less tangible things like photos in cloud storage, social media accounts, gaming profiles and even email archives. Some of them clearly have financial value, others carry deep sentimental worth, but all of them can become issues if not planned for.
Why digital assets are difficult to manage
Executors can face practical hurdles when trying to access a deceased person’s online accounts.
Because of the terms of service for major platforms (like passwords and two-factor authentication) access can sometimes be impossible without prior planning.
In other cases, jurisdiction can also be an issue, particularly if the information is stored overseas or if a person or company’s legal base is outside the UK.
Unfortunately, these barriers mean relatives can find themselves locked out of treasured photos or unable to trace online investments, resulting in frustrating financial gaps in the estate.
Planning for your digital legacy
Simply keeping your online assets in mind when you plan your legacy is already a good start, but if you want to ensure nothing falls through the cracks, there are several things you could do to make it much easier for your executors and loved ones.
Create a digital inventory. Include significant accounts, subscriptions, and directions on where login credentials are stored (but remember not to record any passwords in your Will).
Perhaps name a “digital executor”. Someone who is familiar with technology, already has access to some accounts and can help manage your digital existence.
There are also plenty of online legacy tools available. Some platforms, such as Google’s Inactive Account Manager or Apple’s Legacy Contact feature, allow you to specify who should receive your data after your death.
Conclusion
This is not a question of legal entitlement, but practicality. The majority of digital assets will be captured by standard wording in wills, but ownership does not always equal access.
By just giving some thought to your online presence, you can protect your digital assets and make life much easier for those dealing with your estate.
Alternatively, if you prefer a gamble and want to leave your executors guessing, it would only be fair to use one of the 10 most common passwords! (listed below)
- 123456
- 123456789
- qwerty
- password
- 12345
- qwerty123
- 1q2w3e
- 12345678
- 111111
- 1234567890
This article has been written by Trainee Solicitor, Gabriel Cooke. The article has been overseen by Partner, Francesca Rossi. If you have any questions or contacts, please contact the Private Wealth Department.
Author
Insight
