Why Your Digital Legacy Matters in Estate Planning

When we think about estate planning, most of us naturally focus on financial accounts, property, and family heirlooms. Often overlooked, however, are the digital assets that increasingly carry so much personal, financial, and emotional value. These may include:

• Online financial accounts and digital wallets
• Email and social media profiles
• Cloud storage with family photos and important files
• Access credentials for businesses or professional networks

Though rarely showing up on a balance sheet, leaving these unaddressed can create significant stress for loved ones. Families have lost access to thousands of priceless photos or videos stored online, business partners have been locked out of essential records, and in some cases, entire holdings of digital assets have become unrecoverable because information to access them wasn’t documented.

Thoughtfully preparing for your digital legacy ensures that your family, friends, or business partners can access what is meaningful and important to them and that valuable online assets aren’t lost forever. Plus, your loved ones are spared the frustration and uncertainty of trying to recover what has been left behind without guidance.

By taking some simple but intentional steps, you can make a lasting difference for those who matter most.

Please explore these articles for ideas on how to protect your digital legacy, as well as other valuable financial and investment advice. And remember, I’m always here to discuss what’s on your mind.