Digital Assets After Death: Complete UK Guide
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When someone dies, their digital life doesn't automatically end. From social media accounts to cryptocurrency wallets, digital assets are an increasingly important part of estate administration. This guide explains how to handle every type of digital asset after death in the UK.
- Each platform has different policies for deceased users
- Most don't allow account access, even with death certificate
- Cryptocurrency requires private keys - no keys = lost forever
- Digital purchases (books, music) usually can't be inherited
- Photos and personal files can be preserved if you know where they are
- Start with a list of all online accounts
Contents
What are digital assets?
Digital assets are anything of value that exists only in digital form or online. They include:
- Social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, TikTok
- Email accounts: Gmail, Outlook, iCloud
- Cloud storage: Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive
- Financial accounts: Online banking, PayPal, investment apps
- Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, Ethereum, digital wallets
- Digital purchases: Kindle books, iTunes music, Steam games
- Subscriptions: Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime
- Websites and domains: Personal blogs, business websites
- Photos and documents: Stored online or on devices
The average person has 100+ online accounts. Most executors are overwhelmed trying to find and close them all.
Social media accounts after death
Each platform handles deceased users differently:
Two options:
- Memorialization: Account becomes a memorial. Friends can post tributes. Requires proof of death.
- Deletion: Immediate family can request permanent deletion with death certificate.
Facebook allows users to appoint a "legacy contact" whilst alive who can manage the memorialized account (but not read messages or log in).
Can be memorialized (freezes the account) or deleted. Requires proof of death. Instagram doesn't allow anyone to log into a deceased person's account.
Twitter/X
Verified immediate family can request deactivation by submitting:
- Death certificate
- Copy of your ID
- Proof of relationship
Twitter doesn't offer memorialization - accounts can only be deactivated/deleted.
Accounts are removed when LinkedIn is notified of a death. You can submit a request with the person's profile URL and proof of death.
TikTok
Immediate family can request account closure by contacting support with death certificate and relationship proof.
Important: You cannot access a deceased person's social media accounts, even if you know the password. Most terms of service prohibit sharing login credentials. Focus on memorialization or deletion through official channels.
Email accounts after death
Email is critical for estate administration as password reset emails and account notifications go there. But accessing it is difficult.
Google/Gmail
Google offers an "Inactive Account Manager" where users can specify what happens to their data after inactivity. For deceased users:
- Next of kin can request data download (not account access) through the deceased user process
- Requires death certificate, your ID, and relationship proof
- Google reviews each request individually - not guaranteed
- Can take 6+ months to process
Apple/iCloud
Apple introduced "Legacy Contact" in iOS 15.2:
- Deceased can designate up to 5 people who can access their iCloud data after death
- Legacy contacts get a special access key and can request account access
- Without a legacy contact, Apple requires a court order to release any data
Microsoft/Outlook
Microsoft typically requires a court order to grant access to a deceased person's account. They won't provide passwords or account access based solely on a death certificate.
Yahoo Mail
Yahoo will close accounts upon verification of death but won't provide access to emails. Accounts are permanently deleted.
Cloud storage and photos
Digital photos and documents are often scattered across multiple cloud services.
Google Photos / Google Drive
Part of Google account - same rules apply. Data can potentially be requested through the deceased user process, but access isn't guaranteed.
iCloud Photos / iCloud Drive
Accessible through Apple's Legacy Contact feature if set up in advance. Otherwise requires court order.
Dropbox
Family can request account access by submitting death certificate, proof of relationship, and proof of authority (e.g., probate document). Dropbox reviews case-by-case.
OneDrive (Microsoft)
Same as Microsoft accounts - typically requires court order for access.
Best practice: If you know the deceased had important photos or documents in the cloud, try to access their physical devices (phone, laptop, tablet) if you have permission from the executor. If devices have saved passwords, you may be able to download files before accounts are closed.
Online banking and financial accounts
Online banking
Banks will freeze accounts when notified of death. To access:
- Contact the bank's bereavement team
- Provide death certificate
- Provide proof you're the executor (grant of probate)
- Bank will provide statements and close online banking access
PayPal
To close a PayPal account:
- Call PayPal customer service
- Submit death certificate via their estate form
- Any balance is transferred to the estate
- Recurring payments are cancelled
Investment apps (Trading 212, Freetrade, etc.)
Contact each platform's bereavement team. Most require:
- Death certificate
- Grant of probate
- Account holder details
Investments will be valued as of date of death for inheritance tax purposes and can be transferred or sold.
Cryptocurrency and digital wallets
Cryptocurrency is one of the most difficult digital assets to handle after death.
The critical challenge
Cryptocurrency held in a private wallet (not an exchange) is only accessible with the private key or seed phrase.
Without the key, the cryptocurrency is lost forever.
There is no "forgot password" recovery. There is no customer service to call. No death certificate will help. If the deceased didn't document their private keys, the crypto is irretrievable.
Cryptocurrency on exchanges
If the deceased held crypto on an exchange (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken), you can access it:
- Contact the exchange's estate/bereavement team
- Provide death certificate and grant of probate
- Prove you're the legal executor
- Exchange will transfer or liquidate holdings
What executors should look for
- Hardware wallets: Physical devices like Ledger or Trezor - check drawers, safes
- Seed phrases: 12-24 word recovery phrases - usually written down and stored securely
- Software wallet apps: Check phone/computer for wallet apps
- Exchange accounts: Check emails for exchange confirmations
- Tax returns: Crypto gains may be reported on tax returns
Reality check: Billions of pounds in cryptocurrency are permanently lost each year because people die without sharing their private keys. If you own crypto, document your wallets and keys in a secure place your executor can access.
Subscription services
Monthly subscriptions continue charging unless cancelled. Check bank statements for recurring payments:
Common subscriptions to cancel
- Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Amazon Prime)
- Software subscriptions (Adobe, Microsoft 365, iCloud storage)
- Gym and fitness memberships
- News and magazine subscriptions
- Meal kits and subscription boxes
- Mobile phone contracts
Most can be cancelled by:
- Calling customer service with death certificate
- Using the account if you have login credentials
- Cancelling the payment method (credit card)
Gaming accounts and digital purchases
The ownership problem
When you "buy" a digital game, book, or film, you don't actually own it—you licence the right to access it. These licences almost always die with the user.
Platform-specific policies
Steam: Accounts cannot be transferred. Games cannot be inherited. Account will be closed upon notification of death.
PlayStation/Xbox: Similar - accounts are non-transferable. Digital game libraries die with the account.
Kindle/Amazon: E-books are licensed, not owned. They cannot be left in a will or transferred. Account closed upon death.
iTunes/Apple: Music, films, and books are licensed. Cannot be inherited.
The only digital purchases with any inheritance value are NFTs and crypto assets (if you have the private keys).
Websites and domain names
Domain names and websites have actual value and can be transferred.
Domain names
Domains are property and can be inherited:
- Contact the domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
- Provide death certificate and proof of executorship
- Transfer domain to estate or new owner
- Ensure renewal payments are maintained during probate
Website hosting
If the deceased had a website:
- Identify the hosting provider (check emails, bank statements)
- Contact provider to transfer or close account
- Download important content before closure
- Cancel recurring hosting payments
Legal considerations in the UK
Computer Misuse Act 1990
Technically, accessing someone else's computer or online account without permission is a criminal offence in the UK, even if you're a family member.
In practice:
- Executors have implied permission to access accounts for estate administration
- No prosecutions of grieving families accessing loved ones' accounts
- But platforms may still refuse access based on their terms of service
Data Protection Act 2018
The deceased's data is still protected under GDPR and the Data Protection Act. Companies can refuse data requests to protect the deceased's privacy, even from executors.
Inheritance value
Digital assets with financial value include:
- Cryptocurrency and NFTs
- Domain names (valuable domains can be worth thousands)
- Social media accounts with commercial value (influencers)
- Royalties from digital content creation
These must be valued and included in inheritance tax calculations.
Creating a digital legacy plan
If you want your executor to be able to handle your digital assets, create a plan now:
1. Create an account inventory
List every online account you have:
- Account name and username/email
- Where passwords are stored (password manager)
- Whether you want it memorialized, transferred, or deleted
- Any specific instructions
2. Use built-in legacy tools
- Set up Google's Inactive Account Manager
- Add Apple Legacy Contacts (iOS 15.2+)
- Designate a Facebook Legacy Contact
3. Document cryptocurrency
If you own crypto:
- List all wallets and exchanges
- Store seed phrases and private keys in a fireproof safe or bank deposit box
- Tell your executor where to find them
- Consider a crypto custody service for large holdings
4. Use a password manager
Store all passwords in one secure place (1Password, LastPass, Bitwarden). Give your executor:
- The master password (stored securely)
- Or emergency access instructions
5. Name a digital executor
Include in your will: "I appoint [name] as my digital executor to manage my online accounts and digital assets according to my digital legacy plan."
6. Store instructions securely
Don't put passwords in your will (it becomes public). Instead:
- Store digital legacy plan with your will but separately (with solicitor or in safe)
- Tell your executor where it is
- Update it yearly
Managing digital assets as part of estate administration
Dealing with digital assets is just one part of administering an estate. Executors must also:
- Value and secure physical assets
- Notify dozens of organisations (banks, HMRC, pension providers)
- Apply for probate
- Calculate and pay inheritance tax
- Distribute the estate to beneficiaries
Farra guides you through the entire estate administration process, including tracking digital accounts alongside traditional assets. We provide personalised task lists, letter templates for every organisation, and step-by-step guidance for executors.
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