When a loved one dies, the digital inheritance can be as complex as the physical. Who downloads their files? Who monitors emails and social media accounts?

The more you plan, the smoother it gets for survivors. Take inventory of your digital assets, including those with monetary value like cryptocurrency stored in private wallets.

State laws in the US, like RUFADAA, offer some guidance but often fall short. Named trusted persons can close accounts, but getting access to contents requires explicit permission via a will or similar document.

The built-in tools from big tech companies are handy but flawed—like needing an Instagram account just to download your content. Protocols for declaring death remain elusive, leaving many hurdles unbridged.