What counts as a digital asset?
A digital asset is anything of value that exists only in electronic form. After a death, these assets need to be identified, secured, and either transferred to heirs or closed out. Unlike bank accounts and real estate, many digital assets cannot be accessed through standard probate procedures without advance planning.
Common digital assets include:
- Financial accounts. Cryptocurrency wallets, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, stock trading apps (Robinhood, Schwab)
- Cloud storage. Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive
- Email accounts. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo
- Domain names. Registered through services like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare
- Digital photos and videos. Google Photos, iCloud Photos, Amazon Photos
- Password managers. 1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass, Dashlane
- Subscriptions and memberships. Streaming services, software licenses, online memberships with recurring charges
This article covers assets with financial or practical value. Memorializing or deleting social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X) is a separate topic with its own platform-specific processes.
What legal authority do you need?
In 46 states plus Washington D.C., the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) gives executors, trustees, and agents legal authority to access the deceased person's digital accounts. The law applies when the account holder has authorized access through a will, trust, or power of attorney, or when a court orders it.
RUFADAA does not let you bypass a platform's own policies. It establishes your legal standing to make the request, but each company still has its own process and documentation requirements.
To request access to most accounts, you will need:
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court (proof of your authority as executor)
- Your own government-issued ID
- The deceased's full name and any account identifiers (email address, username, phone number)
Some platforms accept requests without court documents if the account balance is small or if the only request is account closure. Others require a court order regardless.
How do you handle cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency is the most technically challenging digital asset to recover. The process depends entirely on how the deceased stored their crypto.
Exchange accounts (Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, etc.) work similarly to bank accounts. The exchange holds the crypto on behalf of the user. Contact the exchange's estate or bereavement department with a death certificate and proof of executor status. Each exchange has its own process, but most will release the funds to the estate after verification.
Self-custody wallets (hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor, or software wallets) are controlled entirely by private keys. If the deceased left the private keys or seed phrase (a 12- or 24-word recovery phrase) in a secure location, the funds can be recovered. If those keys are lost, the cryptocurrency is permanently inaccessible. No company, government agency, or court order can recover it.
Where to look for keys and seed phrases:
- A physical safe, safe deposit box, or filing cabinet
- A sealed envelope left with an attorney or trusted person
- A password manager (check for entries labeled "crypto," "wallet," "seed," or "keys")
- Metal backup plates (fireproof seed phrase storage)
If you find a hardware wallet but do not have the PIN or seed phrase, do not attempt random PINs. Most hardware wallets lock permanently or erase after a limited number of incorrect attempts.
How do you access payment platform balances?
PayPal. Contact PayPal's estate department. You will need to provide a death certificate, your government-issued ID, and legal documentation showing your authority as executor. Remaining funds can be disbursed as a check in the deceased's name or transferred to a linked bank account. Do not attempt to log in by guessing passwords, as this can trigger security holds that make the process harder.
Venmo. Contact Venmo support at (855) 812-4430 with a death certificate and proof of executor status. Venmo does not support beneficiary designations, so account balances pass through the estate. Funds can be transferred to a linked bank account before the account is closed.
Zelle. Zelle is tied to the deceased person's bank account, not a separate balance. When you close the bank account, any Zelle functionality ends with it.
How do you access email and cloud storage?
Each major platform has a formal process for handling accounts after a death. If the deceased set up a legacy feature in advance, access is straightforward. Without one, expect to provide legal documentation and wait for the platform to review your request.
| Platform | Legacy Feature | Without Legacy Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Google (Gmail, Drive, Photos) | Inactive Account Manager sends data to designated contacts after a period of inactivity | Submit a request through Google's support page with death certificate and ID. A court order may be required for content access. |
| Apple (iCloud, Photos, Mail) | Legacy Contact can access data with an access key and death certificate | A court order naming Apple and specifying the data requested is required. Apple cannot unlock passcode-protected devices without erasing them. |
| Microsoft (Outlook, OneDrive) | No legacy feature | Contact support with death certificate, legal proof of authority, and ID. A court order or subpoena may be needed for content access. Accounts auto-close after 2 years of inactivity. |
For all platforms: do not delete the deceased person's email account until you have reviewed it for password reset emails, subscription confirmations, and financial account notifications. The email account is often the key to discovering which other digital assets exist.
What about password managers?
If the deceased used a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass, Dashlane), it is the single most valuable tool for recovering digital assets. One master password or emergency access contact can unlock access to every stored account.
Several password managers offer emergency access features that allow a designated person to request vault access after a waiting period. If the deceased set this up, follow the password manager's process for activating emergency access.
If no emergency access was configured:
- Check for the master password written down in a safe, filing cabinet, or with an attorney
- Check if the master password is saved in the device's browser or operating system keychain
- Contact the password manager company directly, though most will not grant access to a vault they do not hold the encryption keys for
What about domain names and websites?
Domain names registered through services like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare are property of the estate. If the domain generates revenue (through advertising, e-commerce, or business use), it may have significant value.
To transfer a domain, contact the registrar with a death certificate and proof of executor status. Most registrars will transfer the domain to a new account controlled by the executor or heir. If the domain is set to auto-renew on a credit card that has been closed, it may expire and become available for anyone to register. Prioritize renewing valuable domains early.
How do you find digital assets you don't know about?
The deceased may have accounts you are not aware of. A systematic search can uncover them.
- Check their email for account confirmation messages, password reset emails, and recurring payment receipts
- Check their browser for saved passwords and bookmarks (Chrome, Safari, Firefox all store credentials locally)
- Check their phone for installed apps, especially financial apps, crypto wallets, and payment platforms
- Review bank and credit card statements for recurring charges to online services
- Check their mail for statements or notices from online platforms
Tracking all of this?
Our free checklist helps you manage every step of settling an estate, from financial accounts to digital assets.
Open the ChecklistThis guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
Last reviewed: 2026-03-21