Empowering Executors in the Digital Age
A Practical Guide for Managing Digital Accounts After Death
Why Digital Legacy Planning Matters
Digital legacy planning ensures executors and family members can lawfully access online accounts, photos, and records after death—without violating provider policies or privacy laws.
Most people store photos, documents, and memories online but without setting up proper legacy access, loved ones may lose them forever. This guide explains how to set up account access with major providers so executors and family can carry out your wishes smoothly.
Google – Inactive Account Manager
Google allows users to pre-authorize trusted contacts to access selected accounts if the account becomes inactive. Visit myaccount.google.com/inactive to set up access.
- Choose when your account should be considered inactive (3‒18 months).
- Add up to 10 trusted
- Select which Google services they can access (Gmail, Photos, Drive, YouTube, ).
- Optionally write a final message to be sent when access is.
Apple – Digital Legacy
Apple’s Digital Legacy feature lets users name trusted contacts who can request access after death using a secure Access Key. Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Password & Security → Legacy Contact or visit digital-legacy.apple.com.
- Add up to 5 trusted people as Legacy
- Share each contact’s unique Access Key
- After death, contacts must provide the Access Key and a death
- Note: purchased media (music, movies, books) do not
Facebook – Legacy Contact
Facebook allows users to designate a Legacy Contact or choose account memorialization after death. Visit facebook.com/settings → Memorialization Settings.
- Choose a Legacy Contact (must be a current Facebook friend).
- Decide whether your account should be memorialized or
- Legacy Contact can post a final message, change profile photos, and download data if
Microsoft – Next of Kin Process
- Executor or family member submits proof of death, relationship, government ID, and account
- Access includes Outlook emails, OneDrive files, and Skype
Practical Digital Legacy Checklist for Executors & Families
This checklist helps families prepare for digital account access before it becomes urgent.
- Make a list of your main digital
- Set up legacy contacts or access tools for each
- Store Access Keys safely (not inside your will).
- Review settings annually or after major life
- Inform your executor about your digital asset
How Penning Law Can Help
Digital accounts are now a routine part of modern estates, and planning for them early reduces stress, confusion, and delay for loved ones.
At Penning Law, we integrate digital asset planning into your will or trust documents. We help clients ensure executors have the right tools to access important online accounts securely and lawfully. Contact us for guidance on updating your estate plan for the digital age.
Heather is currently a member in good standing of the Real Estate, Probate, Trust and Family Law sections of the State Bar of Texas. Heather is also certified by the State Bar of Texas to represent litigants and proposed wards in heirship and guardianship proceedings.
