Can my will give instructions for digital assets?

A will can address some digital property. But access to accounts may also depend on state law, provider terms, encryption, and separate online tools. Writing passwords in a will may expose them because a probated will can become a public court record.

General information

• Digital assets include files, domains, online businesses, rewards, and some virtual property.
• Account access and ownership are different questions.
• A secure inventory can help the executor find accounts.

Service steps to consider

1. Listing accounts and devices in a secure separate record.
2. Possible resource or approach: each provider's legacy or beneficiary tool when available.
3. A licensed attorney can provide advice about valuable, licensed, or cryptocurrency assets.

Quick check

• Are all names spelled the right way?
• Did I name backups?
• Do my account forms match my will?

How Complete Wills can help

Complete Wills' will-based questionnaire can record the names, beneficiaries, executor choices, guardian nominations, and other instructions used to prepare the included documents. The customer remains responsible for reviewing the result and completing the applicable state signing requirements. Support can explain fields but cannot tell the customer whom to choose or how to divide property. Customer support can explain website features and questionnaire fields, but it cannot choose documents, people, distributions, or legal terms, interpret a completed document, or explain how the law applies to a person's facts. Only a separately engaged licensed attorney may provide legal advice within the attorney's engagement.

Important limits

• A will does not control every asset. Title, contract terms, trust ownership, and beneficiary forms may control instead.
• Spousal rights, omitted-family rules, disinheritance, and will-signing rules vary by state and may require an attorney. This article gives general information only. A licensed attorney can explain how state law applies to a specific estate plan or document.