Account Access
When most people think about estate planning, they focus on the tangible, things like investment accounts, real estate, or personal items. They think about wills, trusts and insurance. But what about your digital life? An increasing share of our lives now exists online. From financial accounts, important documents and email to photos, social media, and even loyalty points, your digital footprint is a meaningful part of your life.
When most people think about estate planning, they focus on the tangible, things like investment accounts, real estate, or personal items. They think about wills, trusts and insurance.
But what about your digital life? An increasing share of our lives now exists online. From financial accounts, important documents and email to photos, social media, and even loyalty points, your digital footprint is a meaningful part of your life.
The challenge is that digital assets don’t pass as seamlessly as traditional ones. Access is often protected by passwords, two-factor authentication, and strict privacy laws. In many cases, you need entry to a loved one’s phone or computer just to begin accessing other accounts, since those devices often hold the keys to everything else.
The challenge is that digital assets don’t pass as seamlessly as traditional ones. Access is often protected by passwords, two-factor authentication, and strict privacy laws. In many cases, you need entry to a loved one’s phone or computer just to begin accessing other accounts, since those devices often hold the keys to everything else.
At a high level, there area few key elements to focus on
Start by identifying your digital assets. This includes financial accounts, digital documents, email, cloud storage, recurring subscriptions, and any accounts that hold sentimental value, such as photos or personal files.
At a high level, there area few key elements to focus on:
Start by identifying your digital assets. This includes financial accounts, digital documents, email, cloud storage, recurring subscriptions, and any accounts that hold sentimental value, such as photos or personal files.
It’s not enough to list accounts, someone needs a way to access them. Password vaults can play an important role here, allowing you to securely store credentials and designate a trusted contact.
Just as important is having a clear, secure plan for how a trusted person can access the master password to your vault, as well as the
passcodes for your phone and computer, which often serve as the gateway to
everything else. Without this step, even the most detailed inventory may not be
usable.
Many platforms now offer “digital legacy” features that allow you to name someone to manage or access your account if something happens to you. (ex. Apple’s Digital Legacy, Google Inactive Account Manager) These tools are often the most direct and effective way to ensure access, and they operate within the platform’s own rules.
Your will, trust, and power of attorney should explicitly authorize someone to handle digital assets. While laws like the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) provide a framework, there are limits.
For example, RUFAADA generally allows fiduciaries to access a “catalog” of communications, such as sender and timing, but not the actual content of emails or messages unless you specifically authorize it.
In practice, your documents should clearly grant authority to access and manage digital accounts and explicitly state whether your fiduciaries can view the content of communications. Without that, access can be restricted at exactly the moment it’s needed most.
The goal is to protect your information today without creating barriers for the person who will need to step in later. Overly complex systems, multiple vaults, unclear instructions, or hidden credentials can slow things down or make access impossible at the worst moment. A streamlined, well-documented approach, with secure but clearly communicated access points, is often far more effective than layering on complexity that no one else can navigate.
Life transitions are rarely easy, but they are defining moments. By taking control of your financial future, you not only protect what you’ve built but also open the door to new possibilities.
With clear goals, a sound plan, and trusted guidance, you can navigate change with strength and shape a future that reflects your values, vision, and independence.
At True North Wealth Advisors, we bring 25 years of institutional investment expertise to individuals, families, and mission-driven organizations.
Whether you’re navigating a major life transition, building lasting wealth, or stewarding assets for future generations, we provide clear guidance, tailored strategies, and a trusted partnership to help you move forward with confidence.
Let’s explore how we can work together to chart the right path for your financial future.
At True North Wealth Advisors, we bring 25 years of institutional investment expertise to individuals, families, and mission-driven organizations.
Whether you’re navigating a major life transition, building lasting wealth, or stewarding assets for future generations, we provide clear guidance, tailored strategies, and a trusted partnership to help you move forward with confidence.
Let’s explore how we can work together to chart the right path for your financial future.
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