Your Digital Asset Legacy
How to Create a Will for Your Online Assets
When Marjorie passed away, she left behind more than a house, a car, and a few cherished heirlooms. She also left a thriving online presence—an Etsy store, a personal blog filled with years of heartfelt stories, and a well-monetized website that generated steady income through affiliate ads and items. Her family, however, had no idea what to do with these digital assets. Some wanted to preserve her work (especially when they discovered her income), while others saw the burden of maintaining something they knew little about. Without a digital will in place, the fate of her online legacy might go the way of Marjorie.
Why You Need a Digital Asset Will
Most people think of a will as something that dictates what happens to their physical belongings. But in today’s world, our online presence can be just as valuable. Websites, blogs, domain names, online marketplaces, and ad-driven content streams are assets that hold real financial and sentimental worth. Without clear instructions, these assets may be lost, abandoned, or improperly handled.
A digital will ensures that your online presence is managed according to your wishes—whether that means passing it down to a loved one, selling it, or closing accounts properly.
What to Include in Your Digital Asset Will
Inventory Your Digital Assets: We covered much of this information in How to Compile Your Digital Assets. This list is important for your will (or estate if in a trust), but the list also provides a convenient tool for your survivors to understand what you have.
Websites and domain names
Blogs and content platforms
Online stores (Etsy, eBay, Amazon)
Digital products and memberships
Social media accounts with monetization
Ad revenue accounts (Google AdSense, affiliate programs)
Cloud storage with important documents or digital products
Assign Beneficiaries and Instructions
If a family member is interested in continuing your work, consider mentoring them beforehand.
If no one wants to take over, determine if the assets should be sold, shut down, or transferred to a trusted individual or organization.
Include login credentials in a secure, legally recognized format (e.g., a password manager with designated access).
Legal Documentation
Work with an estate planner or attorney to draft a digital will. As a general rule, digital assets that you own and that are transferrable can be included in your estate when you die.
Use legally accepted wording to grant authority over digital accounts.
Consider naming a "digital executor" to handle the transition process.
Preparing Your Digital Legacy: Steps for Asset Holders
If you own digital assets, planning ahead can make the transition smoother for your beneficiaries. Here’s what you should do now:
Document Everything
Create a detailed list of all your digital assets, including login credentials, hosting details, and revenue sources. This information may change often, and that’s fine, as long as you keep track of the changes.
Store this information in a secure place, such as a password manager or a printed document in a safe.
Define Your Wishes
Decide whether you want your blog, store, or website to continue, be transferred, or be sold.
If you wish for certain content to be archived, specify how and by whom.
Check Platform Policies
Different platforms have different rules about transferring accounts. Google, Facebook, and domain registrars all have legacy policies—research them and designate someone to manage your accounts after your passing.
Google's Inactive Account Manager allows you to set up what happens to your Google accounts when you pass.
Facebook Memorialization Settings allow you to choose whether your account is deleted or managed by a legacy contact.
X’s Policy on Deceased Accounts explains how loved ones can request account deactivation.
ICANN Domain Name Transfer Guide provides information on transferring domain ownership.
What Would Happen to My Online Business if I Died? This guest post by Chris Huntley at SPI covers the topic succinctly, and I happen to agree with him regarding the insurance and trust.
Create a Transition Guide
Write clear instructions for your beneficiary or digital executor, explaining how to maintain or sell your digital assets.
Include information on renewing domain names, managing hosting, and keeping monetization active.
Consult a Professional
Work with an attorney to ensure your digital will or trust is legally sound and enforceable.
Consider appointing a digital executor who understands the technical aspects of running websites or monetized content.
Training a Beneficiary vs. Selling Digital Assets
If a beneficiary is willing to take over your digital assets, it’s best to bring them in while you’re still managing them. Teaching them how to maintain a website, handle customer inquiries on an online store, or manage ad revenue can be invaluable. Some people even create step-by-step guides for their heirs.
While you’re still up and running, include this person as co-owner of your store, domains, etc. if possible. This step allows for a complete transition, even if your will states that you want everything sold. Of course, talk with your “partner” before you make such requests in your final papers.
If no one in the family is interested, selling is the next best option. Many domain marketplaces and website brokers specialize in transferring online businesses. Clearly stating in your will that certain assets should be sold and providing guidance on valuation can ease this process.
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
Without a digital will, your assets may become inaccessible. People may still place orders and not receive the product or service they paid for, creating an issue for your survivors. If ad revenue or marketplace accounts are left active, they may continue generating income without a proper recipient, leading to legal complications.
Many online platforms require proof of ownership or legal documentation to transfer control. If no one knows how to access your accounts, valuable digital properties could be lost forever.
I recently lost my late husband’s password to his email. I needed that email to make some transitions a bit smoother, but Google is difficult to deal with if the person who died didn’t set something up first. Letting that email go was a hard road to travel, especially since I needed it to validate my role in his life.
Final Thoughts
Planning for your digital afterlife is just as important as arranging your physical estate. By creating a will for your digital assets, you ensure that your hard work continues in the way you intended. Whether your goal is to preserve a legacy, support your family financially, or responsibly close accounts, a clear plan brings peace of mind to both you and your loved ones. If you would prefer to create a trust, simply talk to your bank. It can be that easy.
Don’t leave your digital legacy to chance—start planning today.