Skip to content
  • Call 24/7 (602) 910-4068
Contact Us
  • 24/7

(602) 932-3187

estate planning law firm
  • Home
  • Start Here
    • Becoming a Client
    • Our Story
    • Our Approach & Values
    • Meet the Team
    • Client Testimonials
  • PROTECT MY FAMILY
    • Estate Planning
    • Wills and Trusts
    • Power of Attorney
    • Deeds & Real Estate Transfers
  • Specialized Planning
    • Minor Children
    • Special Needs Trusts
    • Asset Protection Planning
    • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Elder Care
    • Long term Care
    • Medicaid (ALTCS)
    • Guardianship
  • Probate
    • Do I Need Probate?
    • Avoiding Probate
    • Trust Administration
  • Business Planning
    • Business Formations
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Operating Agreements
    • Employment Agreements
  • Resources
    • Estate Planning Blog
      • Estate Planning
      • Elder Law
      • Probate
      • Business Succession
      • Guardianship
    • Videos & Recordings
    • Seminars & Webinars
    • Free Estate Planning Masterclass
    • Educational Library
    • Estate Planning Resources For Professional Advisors
    • FAQs
    • Media Room
  • Contact Us
    • Schedule Strategy Session
    • Office Locations
  • Home
  • Start Here
    • Becoming a Client
    • Our Story
    • Our Approach & Values
    • Meet the Team
    • Client Testimonials
  • PROTECT MY FAMILY
    • Estate Planning
    • Wills and Trusts
    • Power of Attorney
    • Deeds & Real Estate Transfers
  • Specialized Planning
    • Minor Children
    • Special Needs Trusts
    • Asset Protection Planning
    • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Elder Care
    • Long term Care
    • Medicaid (ALTCS)
    • Guardianship
  • Probate
    • Do I Need Probate?
    • Avoiding Probate
    • Trust Administration
  • Business Planning
    • Business Formations
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Operating Agreements
    • Employment Agreements
  • Resources
    • Estate Planning Blog
      • Estate Planning
      • Elder Law
      • Probate
      • Business Succession
      • Guardianship
    • Videos & Recordings
    • Seminars & Webinars
    • Free Estate Planning Masterclass
    • Educational Library
    • Estate Planning Resources For Professional Advisors
    • FAQs
    • Media Room
  • Contact Us
    • Schedule Strategy Session
    • Office Locations

How to Create a Digital Estate Plan

Serving Clients in the Gilbert, Arizona Area

How to Create a Digital Estate Plan
  • May 10, 2024
  • Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts
Gilbert Arizona estate planning attorney

BY: Jake Carlson

Jake Carlson is an estate planning attorney, recognized business leader, inspiring presenter, and popular podcast host. He is personable and connects immediately with others. A natural storyteller, he loves listening to your story and exploring what matters most to you.

Get To Know Jake
Please Share!
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
From cherished memories stored in digital photo albums to valuable assets held in online accounts, our digital footprint has become a significant component of our overall legacy.
  • Scroll Down to Read Article

Digital estate planning has become just as important as traditional estate planning, since so much of our lives now are online. A recent article, “Digital Estate Planning Guide: Get Your Digital Assets in Order,” from Kiplinger, explains the steps needed to protect digital assets and let loved ones know your wishes.

Unlike boxes of photos left in attics, digital photos, social media accounts and cryptocurrency can’t be easily accessed and don’t physically disintegrate. With no plan in place, your estate is vulnerable to identity theft and lost assets, not to mention disputes between family members over digital assets.

Digital assets include email accounts, social media profiles, photographs and recordings, online banking and investment accounts, intellectual property, cryptocurrency, subscriptions, frequent flier miles and documents stored online.

The first step is the most tedious one. However, it is necessary. You’ll need to list all assets, their URL (address), login credentials and account numbers. If the account has two-factor protection, for example, when you must put in a code received on another device, include this information. If this sounds like too much work, consider your executor trying to locate every asset. It will take much more time, and some assets may be lost forever.

Speaking of your executor, you’ll need to identify a trusted person who is both reliable and tech-savvy to serve as your digital asset estate executor. It doesn’t have to be the same person you name as your executor. Speak with your estate planning attorney about how to name both individuals in your will.

Here are some issues to consider when creating a digital estate plan:

  • What do you want to happen to each of your accounts—do you want them deleted, or do you want your executor to download and store the information on a local hard drive or other hardware?
  • How do you want your assets to be used? If cryptocurrency, do you want them to transfer the assets, or do you want to convert them to traditional money and then distribute them to heirs?
  • If you have sensitive information and wish to keep the asset private, can your digital executor do that, or do you need to delete or transfer the information long before you die?

Let loved ones know of the existence of your digital estate plan and who your digital executor is. Review the digital estate plan often, since digital assets change much faster than traditional assets. Every jurisdiction has its own laws regarding digital assets, so speak with an experienced estate planning attorney, since your digital estate plan needs to comply with state laws and regulations.

To learn more about estate planning in the East Valley, Gilbert, Mesa and Queen Creek, schedule your free consultation with Attorney Jake Carlson by using one of the links above.

Reference: Kiplinger (March 14, 2024) “Digital Estate Planning Guide: Get Your Digital Assets in Order”

PrevPreviousWhy is a Will Important?
NextThe Hidden Risks of Adding Your Child as a Life Insurance BeneficiaryNext
Subscribe!

Recent Posts
  • Managing a House After a Relative’s Death
  • How Does a No-Contest Clause Protect Your Will?
  • How to Talk with Children About a Grandparent with Dementia
  • Protect Your Parents’ Savings From Nursing Home Expenses
  • Who Should I Choose to Be a Guardian for Minor Child?
Categories
  • Advanced Directives
  • ALTCs
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Asset Protection
  • Business Formations
  • Business Succession
  • Charitable Planning
  • Dementia
  • Elder Law
  • Estate Administration
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Tax
  • Guardianship
  • Life Insurance
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • News
  • Power of Attorney
  • Probate
  • Retirement
  • Social Security
  • Special Needs
  • Trust Administration
  • Uncategorized
  • Wills & Trusts

Contact Us

All fields marked with an “ * ” are required

Practice Areas

Conservatorship Lawyer Mesa, AZ
End-Of-Life Planning Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Estate Planning Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Guardianship Lawyer Mesa, AZ

Wills And Trusts Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Living Will Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Business Formation Lawyer Mesa, AZ

Estate Administration Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Asset Protection Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Living Trust Lawyer Mesa, AZ

estate planning law firm
Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in Youtube Instagram Rss

Our Mesa Office

2500 S Power Road Bldg 14
Suite 132
Mesa, AZ 85209

Phone Number: (602) 910-4068

Our Gilbert Office

1425 S. Higley Road #106
Gilbert, AZ 85296

Copyright © 2025 – LifePlan Legal AZ. All rights reserved. Some artwork provided under license agreement. Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Sitemap