By Valerie Hall, Estate Planning Attorney
Introduction: Your Digital Life Deserves a Plan
We often plan for our homes, our bank accounts, and our families-but what about our digital lives?
From email and photos to social media and cloud storage, your digital presence continues even after you're gone. That's why tech companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook now allow you to name a "Legacy Contact" or "Inactive Account Manager" to manage your account after your death.
As an estate planning attorney, I believe this is a crucial-but often overlooked-part of modern planning.
Why Setting Up a Digital Legacy Contact Matters
- Prevents your accounts from being locked or deleted prematurely
- Helps your family retrieve important documents, messages, and memories
- Protects against identity theft or unauthorized access
- Makes settling your estate more efficient and complete
Think of it as appointing a digital executor-someone you trust to handle your online life with respect and clarity.
How to Set Up a Legacy Contact on Apple (iCloud)
1. Go to Settings > Your Name > Password & Security > Legacy Contact
2. Tap 'Add Legacy Contact' and choose someone from your contacts
3. Share the access key they'll need to manage your account after your death
Apple will require a death certificate and the access key before your contact can access anything. Be sure to store this key securely.
How to Set Up Inactive Account Manager on Google (Gmail, Drive, YouTube)
1. Visit myaccount.google.com/inactive
2. Click 'Start' and choose your inactivity timeout (e.g., 3, 6, 12 months)
3. Add trusted contacts and specify what data they can access
4. Optionally, allow Google to delete the account after sharing
Google will notify you multiple times before taking any action.
How to Designate a Legacy Contact on Facebook
1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Memorialization Settings
2. Choose a Legacy Contact or request account deletion
3. Your contact can manage tribute posts, profile updates, and friend requests-but not private messages
This ensures your social presence is handled in a way that aligns with your wishes.
Tips for Managing Your Digital Legacy
- Keep a list of your digital accounts and passwords in a secure location
- Use a password manager with emergency access settings
- Let your estate planning attorney know if you want digital access covered in your plan
- Have conversations with your legacy contacts about your wishes
Conclusion: Estate Planning for the 21st Century
Your digital footprint is part of your legacy. Setting up legacy contacts ensures your loved ones aren't left in the dark-and your online life is handled with care.
Taking just a few minutes now can save your family weeks-or months-of confusion later.
Take the Next Step
Want help coordinating your digital and legal plans? We'll help you build a comprehensive estate plan that includes everything-from your home to your hard drive.
Schedule a consultation today.