Your digital legacy plan may include:
- Email accounts
- Social media profiles
- Online banking and payment services
- Cloud storage such as photos and documents
- Subscriptions and memberships
- Digital investments or online income sources
In Western Australia, these types of assets can form part of your estate, so they’re worth including alongside more traditional planning.
Start with a list of your digital assets
A good place to begin is simply working out what you have.
Take some time to list:
- Accounts you log into regularly
- Apps connected to payments
- Important files stored online
- Anything with financial or personal value
You can build this list gradually - it doesn’t have to be perfect straight away.
Record your access details safely
One of the biggest challenges with digital assets is access. Privacy laws and security settings can make it difficult for others to retrieve information without proper authority.
To make things easier:
- Keep a secure record of usernames and passwords
- Consider using a password manager
- Store access details separately from your will
This helps protect your information while still allowing the right person to access it when needed.
Decide what should happen to each account
Different accounts may need different handling, so it helps to leave clear instructions.
For example:
- Social media - Memorialised or removed
- Email - Closed after important information is saved
- Photos and files - Shared with family
- Subscriptions - Cancelled
- Financial accounts - Finalised as part of your estate
Clear instructions can make a difficult time a little less complicated.
Choose someone to manage your digital matters
In Western Australia, your executor is responsible for administering your estate. You can also guide them on how to manage your digital assets or nominate someone you trust to assist.
It’s helpful to choose someone who:
- Is organised and dependable
- Has a basic understanding of technology
- Is comfortable following your instructions
You can include this information in your will or in a separate document kept with it.
Use built-in account options where available
Some online services allow you to plan within the account itself.
You might be able to:
- Nominate a trusted contact
- Set instructions for inactive accounts
- Request account deletion or data transfer
These features can make the process smoother for your executor.
Keep your plan current
Your digital life will change over time, so it’s worth checking your plan now and then.
A simple review:
- Once a year
- After major life changes
- When you add or close accounts
Keeping things up to date helps avoid confusion later.
Store your plan somewhere easy to find
A plan is only useful if someone knows where it is.
You might keep it:
- With your will through a WA solicitor or the Public Trustee
- In a secure location at home
- Within a password manager with emergency access
Let your executor or a trusted person know where to look.
A small step that makes a big difference
Putting together a digital legacy plan doesn’t take long, but it can make a real difference. It helps your loved ones manage your affairs properly, protects your personal information and removes a lot of guesswork during an already challenging time.
Sources
- Government of Western Australia - Public Trustee, Planning ahead and deceased estates
- Government of Western Australia - Department of Justice, Wills and estate planning information
- Government of Western Australia - Consumer Protection, Planning for the future and managing your affairs
