Why digital accounts matter

In the past, settling someone's affairs meant sorting through papers and filing cabinets. Today, it also means dealing with an online presence that may include dozens of accounts. Some hold financial value — bank accounts, investment platforms, payment apps. Others hold sentimental value — photos, messages, social media histories. And some represent ongoing costs — subscriptions, memberships, and services that will continue billing until they are canceled.

Handling these accounts protects the estate from fraud, prevents unnecessary charges, and preserves digital memories that might otherwise be lost.

Start with what you know

Make a list of the accounts you know about. Check the person's email if you have access — it will contain account notifications, subscription confirmations, and password reset links that can help you identify services you did not know about. Check their phone for apps. Look at their computer's saved passwords if they used a password manager.

If you do not have access to email or devices, this process is harder but not impossible. You can contact companies directly with a death certificate and proof of your authority as executor or next of kin.

Email

Email is often the master key to other accounts — it is where password reset links are sent. Securing the email account is a priority. If you have access, change the password so no one else can get in. If you do not have access, contact the email provider (Google, Microsoft, Apple, etc.) with a death certificate and request that the account be closed or memorialized.

Social media

Most major platforms — Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (Twitter) — offer options for accounts of deceased users. You can typically request that the account be memorialized (kept visible but with a note that the person has died) or permanently deleted. Each platform has its own process, which usually requires a death certificate and proof of your relationship.

If the person shared photos or posts on social media that the family wants to preserve, download them before requesting deletion. Some platforms allow you to download an archive of the account's content.

Financial accounts

Online banking, investment accounts, and payment apps (PayPal, Venmo, etc.) should be handled through the official channels. Contact each institution with a death certificate and your proof of authority. Do not attempt to access these accounts using saved passwords — doing so can create legal complications and may be considered unauthorized access.

For recurring payments and subscriptions — streaming services, gym memberships, software subscriptions, delivery services — cancel them as you identify them. Some require a death certificate to cancel without penalty; others can be canceled through the account settings if you have access.

Photos and memories

One of the most valuable things to preserve is the person's digital photos. If they used a cloud service (iCloud, Google Photos, Dropbox), download the entire library before the account is closed. If photos are stored locally on a phone or computer, back them up to a separate drive or cloud account.These photos may include images that other family members do not have copies of — childhood photos, family events, candid moments. Preserving them is one of the most meaningful things you can do with the digital estate.

Security considerations

Be careful about how you handle passwords and account access. Do not share passwords over unsecured channels. Do not log into accounts from public computers. If you are working with an attorney, they can advise on the legal proper way to access and manage digital accounts.

Be aware of scams. After a death, fraudsters sometimes target families — posing as debt collectors, pretending to be from government agencies, or using the person's identity to open new accounts. Be vigilant about unsolicited contacts and verify everything before taking action.

Planning for the future

If you are reading this not because someone has died but because you are planning ahead, consider creating a digital estate plan. Write down your accounts, passwords, and wishes for each. Store this information securely — in a password manager, a safe deposit box, or with your attorney — and tell someone you trust where to find it. The gift of knowing what to do with your digital life is one of the most practical things you can leave behind.