What is a digital executor, and how do I appoint one?

When a person dies, they likely leave behind a number of digital accounts—from subscriptions to blogs to social media accounts—that might contain private information or cost money to maintain. A digital executor is someone who’s been named in a will and/or appointed by a court to manage these accounts, and possibly close them, as directed by the deceased’s will.

Some of the items that a digital executor typically deals with are:

• Documents

• Images

• Subscriptions

• Emails

• Funds

• Cryptocurrencies

• Websites/Blogs

In addition, digital executors may delete files, erase hard drives, or even put up a social media post informing a decedent’s followers of their passing.

There are many methods to appoint a digital executor. A section in a will may be devoted to naming a digital executor. You may also name a co-executor to your will. This person can then be assigned as the digital executor, and they will be entrusted to carry out your instructions.

A digital executor may not necessarily be the same as the legal executor; you can appoint whomever you choose to be a digital executor. However, some people do choose to have these roles assigned to the same person so that control over an estate falls to one individual.

At present, some states still do not formally recognize digital executors, but it is still recommended that you formulate a plan for your digital assets, as this will give your family information about your digital presence and direction on what you would like to do with it.

When crafting your will with your estate attorney, inform them of your plan or desire to appoint a digital executor. Your attorney should then assist you by using the correct language in your will to deal with your digital assets and that the person you want to appoint has also agreed to be your digital executor.

If you have already created your will and would like to add a digital estate plan to it, you have two options:

1. Rewrite your will, adding a section that contains your instructions for your digital estate

2. Add a codicil to your will. This is a document that acts as a supplement or addition to your will. It will change specific provisions of your will, keeping other sections the same. This is less costly and time-consuming than rewriting your will.

When the time comes to close a digital estate, remember that Peacefully offers a service where you can fill out a short form to remove personal content from the internet that could potentially be upsetting and expose a decedent or their family to identity theft.

We handle your loved one's Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, eBay, email, and online dating accounts.

We charge only $29.99 to make sure everyone can afford protection. Get started here.

— Kevin Chen