Managing Your Digital Assets and Legacy

Let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked when planning for the future - your digital legacy. In today’s world, your digital life is just as important as your physical one. From social media accounts and email addresses to online banking and digital subscriptions, your digital assets are everywhere.

But have you ever stopped to think about what happens to all of it when you’re no longer here?

Managing your digital assets and legacy isn’t just for tech experts, it’s for everyone. Whether it’s photos stored in the cloud, a thriving Etsy shop, or simply your Facebook account, organising and securing these digital pieces of your life is crucial to making sure your wishes are respected and your loved ones are taken care of.

What Are Digital Assets?

Before we dive into how to manage them, let’s break down what counts as a digital asset. Basically, if it exists online or is stored electronically, it’s part of your digital legacy. Here are a few examples:

• Social Media Accounts: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Tik Tok etc.

• Online Banking and Investments: Your bank accounts, PayPal, crypto wallets, and investment platforms.

• Email Accounts: Access to your Gmail, Outlook, or any other email provider.

• Subscriptions: Streaming services, apps, and paid memberships like Netflix, Spotify, or Amazon Prime.

• Websites & Domains: If you own a blog, website, or domain names, these are also part of your digital footprint.

• Stored Photos, Documents, and Files: Whether in the cloud or on devices like laptops or phones, these are part of your digital assets.

Why Managing Your Digital Legacy Matters

The digital world doesn’t stop when you do. If your digital assets aren’t managed properly, they can cause complications for your family and loved ones after you’re gone. Digital Assets can also be a valuable part of your estate. Imagine your family trying to close your online accounts or access important files without knowing the passwords or even which platforms you were using. It can lead to frustrating and even emotional experiences during an already difficult time.

Managing your digital assets is about more than just tidying things up, it’s about ensuring your legacy continues the way you want it to.

How to Manage Your Digital Assets

Managing your digital assets isn’t as overwhelming as it sounds when you break it down into simple steps. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Take Inventory of Your Digital Life
Begin by making a list of all your online accounts, subscriptions, and platforms. This includes everything from social media to banking apps to websites you’ve subscribed to over the years. Think of this as your digital ‘spring cleaning’—gather all the platforms you use in one place.

2. Organise Your Access Information
Once you’ve taken inventory, make sure you have all the necessary login information—usernames, passwords, and recovery emails. Store these details securely. With platforms like iDecide, you can easily store your digital account information in a safe, encrypted place, making it accessible to only those you trust.

3. Decide What You Want to Happen to Your Accounts
Each platform has different policies for managing accounts after someone passes away. For example, Facebook allows your profile to be memorialised, while others like Twitter or LinkedIn may simply close your account. Decide what you want to happen to each account and document those wishes.

• Memorialise or delete social media accounts?

• Transfer digital assets like websites or businesses?

• How should your financial accounts or crypto wallets be accessed and handled?

4. Name a Digital Executor
Just like you appoint an executor for your will, you should also name someone to manage your digital assets when the time comes. This person will be responsible for carrying out your wishes regarding your online accounts, files, and digital property. Make sure this person knows where to find your login information and any instructions you’ve left behind.

5. Update Your Plan Regularly
The digital world is constantly changing, and so is your online presence. Be sure to revisit your digital asset plan regularly to update passwords, add new accounts, or make changes as your preferences evolve. Life can change fast, so keeping your digital plan current is just as important as keeping your will up to date.

What Happens If You Don’t Manage Your Digital Legacy?
When you don’t have a plan for your digital assets, it can cause a lot of unnecessary stress for your family. Imagine your loved ones trying to access your online banking accounts or shut down your social media profiles, only to find they don’t have the right passwords or legal access. Without clear instructions, they may be locked out of important financial accounts, or worse, your online identity could be left floating around cyberspace indefinitely.

Leaving your digital assets unaddressed can also pose security risks, including identity theft or fraud. By putting a plan in place now, you’re protecting your loved ones from these unnecessary headaches and ensuring your legacy is managed the way you want it to be.

Make Digital Legacy Planning Part of Your End-of-Life Plan
With more of our lives happening online, managing your digital legacy is no longer optional - it’s essential. iDecide makes it easy to store and share your important digital account information, ensuring that your loved ones have access when they need it. From social media accounts to financial records, our platform helps you keep everything in one secure place.

Taking control of your digital assets today means peace of mind for tomorrow - for you and those you care about. Ready to get started? Sign up with iDecide and start organizing your digital legacy today.