Digital Estate Planning: What Happens to Your Online Accounts and Crypto?

A significant portion of our lives now exists online. From social media and email accounts to banking, investment platforms, and cryptocurrency wallets, our digital footprint is vast. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about the legacy we leave behind.

For many, the thought of what will happen to their online accounts and digital assets after they’re gone can be a source of anxiety—and rightfully so. Taking proactive steps today can ease the burden on loved ones, sparing them from tough decisions during an already challenging time.

At Brier Law Firm, PLLC, we guide our clients through digital estate planning. By helping families address online accounts, cryptocurrencies, and other digital assets, we give them peace of mind that their wishes will be respected.

We serve communities in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the surrounding communities, including Cherry Street, Kendall-Whittier, McClure Park, Patrick Henry, South Peoria, Longview Lake, Turley, and throughout Rogers County and Wagoner County. Contact us today to learn more about our estate planning services.

Why Digital Estate Planning Matters

Estate planning has traditionally focused on physical property, bank accounts, and investments. But as digital assets have become integral to daily life, failing to address them can leave heirs with obstacles.

Accessing online accounts without proper instructions can be legally challenging, and some accounts may be permanently inaccessible. With the help of an experienced estate planning attorney, digital estate planning allows individuals to provide instructions, protect assets, reduce family disputes, and preserve memories.

By treating online accounts and crypto like other assets in estate planning, clients leave a more comprehensive plan for their loved ones.

Key Digital Accounts and Assets

Digital estate planning covers a wide variety of accounts. While each platform may have its own policies, a clear plan helps families access what they need.

• Email accounts: Gateways to financial accounts, subscriptions, and personal correspondence. Losing access can be frustrating or legally problematic.

• Social media accounts: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have memorialization or deactivation options that require instructions from account holders.

• Cloud storage: Services like Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox often contain important documents, family photos, or creative work.

• Online financial accounts: PayPal, Venmo, and other payment services may hold significant funds that need to be distributed.

• Cryptocurrency wallets: Crypto assets can be challenging to access without private keys or recovery phrases.

Documenting access and wishes for these accounts is essential. Doing so saves your family time, money, and emotional strain in the future, while also providing clear guidance, protecting valuable digital assets, and preserving meaningful memories.

Steps to Include Digital Assets in Estate Planning

It can feel overwhelming to plan for digital assets, but there are steps that make the process smoother.

• Inventory your accounts: List every digital account, including email, social media, cloud storage, and financial platforms. Include usernames and URLs.

• Document passwords and keys: Keep them in a secure location, like a password manager or safe, and provide instructions for heirs.

• Decide on account management: Identify which accounts should be deleted, transferred, or preserved.

• Update estate planning documents: Include digital assets in wills or trusts, specifying who will manage them and how.

• Use legal authorization tools: Some platforms allow you to designate legacy contacts or grant digital access to trusted individuals.

Taking these steps creates clarity for families and helps avoid confusion or legal complications after your passing, allowing loved ones to efficiently manage accounts, honor your wishes, and preserve important digital and personal assets.

Handling Cryptocurrency and Privacy

Cryptocurrency adds another layer of complication. Unlike traditional bank accounts, crypto wallets often don’t have a way to recover lost keys. That means if a private key or seed phrase is lost, the asset may be gone forever.

• Secure storage and documentation: Decide whether crypto will be held in hot wallets, cold wallets, or custodial accounts. Record private keys and recovery phrases in a secure location.

• Designate responsible parties: Identify someone trusted to manage or transfer crypto according to your wishes.

• Balance access and privacy: Give heirs clear instructions without exposing sensitive information.

• Regular updates: Crypto accounts and platforms evolve, so reviewing your plan periodically is important.

By combining secure access, legal authority, and clear instructions, clients can protect digital wealth while respecting privacy, maintain control over sensitive information, minimize potential disputes, and provide peace of mind for their families.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even proactive clients can make mistakes that hinder digital estate planning. Being aware of these pitfalls reduces frustration.

• Failing to list all accounts: Leaving out forgotten accounts can create problems later.

• Not documenting passwords or keys: Access is useless without credentials, especially for crypto.

• Assuming platforms automatically transfer accounts: Many platforms have strict policies.

• Neglecting updates: Life changes, new accounts, and security upgrades require reviews.

• Skipping legal inclusion: Without including digital assets in legal documents, heirs may face challenges.

Avoiding these mistakes helps create a smoother transition for digital assets, reduces stress for loved ones, and allows families to confidently manage accounts, preserve memories, and clearly follow your wishes.

Take Action Today

Digital estate planning is a crucial part of protecting your legacy and supporting your loved ones. At Brier Law Firm, PLLC, we help clients in Tulsa and nearby areas create thorough plans for online accounts, cryptocurrency, and other digital assets. By addressing both assets in your estate plan, you provide clarity, reduce stress for your family, and preserve what matters most. 

Serving clients throughout Tulsa, Oklahoma, and surrounding areas, including Cherry Street, Kendall-Whittier, McClure Park, Patrick Henry, South Peoria, Longview Lake, Turley, and throughout Rogers County and Wagoner County, our firm is committed to helping families protect their digital and physical legacies.

Take the first step in protecting your online accounts and digital assets by scheduling a consultation with Brier Law Firm, PLLC. Together, we can create a plan that safeguards your digital footprint and provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Schedule a consultation today.