Free Template
📱Digital Legacy Checklist
We live so much of our lives online now — photos, messages, accounts, subscriptions, businesses — but most people never think about what happens to all of it when they're no longer here. This checklist helps you organize your digital world so your family isn't locked out of precious memories or stuck paying for forgotten subscriptions.
Access and Passwords
The foundation of digital legacy planning is making sure someone can get in. How will your family access your devices and accounts?
Phone: [Make/model]. Passcode: [where to find it, e.g., 'written in sealed envelope in home safe — labeled "Digital Access"']. Biometric: [fingerprint/face ID registered]. Computer/Laptop: [Make/model]. Login password: [where to find it]. Tablet: [Details]. Password Manager: [App name, e.g., 'Bitwarden']. Master password: [where to find it]. Recovery key: [where stored]. This is the KEY to everything — all other passwords are inside. Two-Factor Authentication: [Method used, e.g., 'Authenticator app on phone']. Backup codes: [where stored]. Digital Executor: [Name, phone, email] — the person I trust to manage my digital accounts.
Precious Memories and Files
Where are your irreplaceable digital memories stored? Photos, videos, documents, creative works — your family needs to know how to preserve them.
Photos and Videos: - [Service, e.g., 'Google Photos'] — [approx. number, e.g., '~15 years of family photos']. Access via: [instructions]. - [Service, e.g., 'iCloud'] — [what's there]. Access via: [instructions]. - [Physical backup, e.g., 'External hard drive in office closet, labeled "Family Photos Backup 2020-2025"']. Important Documents: [Cloud storage service, folder name]. Creative Works: [Writing, music, art — where stored]. Family History Research: [Where saved, e.g., 'Ancestry.com account, also PDF backup on Google Drive']. My wish: [What to do with memories, e.g., 'Please keep the Google Photos account active for the family. The folder called "For the Kids" has albums I made for each child.']
Social Media Accounts
What social media accounts do you have, and what do you want to happen to each one? Most platforms have legacy or memorialization options.
Facebook: [Status: active/inactive]. My wish: [e.g., 'Memorialize the account — Facebook has a "Legacy Contact" feature, I've designated [name]']. Legacy Contact set up: [yes/no]. Instagram: [Status]. My wish: [e.g., 'Keep the account as-is for 1 year, then delete it']. Twitter/X: [Status]. My wish: [e.g., 'Delete the account']. LinkedIn: [Status]. My wish: [e.g., 'Close the account after notifying connections']. YouTube: [Status]. My wish: [e.g., 'Keep the channel — there are family videos the kids will want']. TikTok: [Status]. My wish: [action]. Other: [Any other platforms and wishes]. Note: [General guidance, e.g., 'Please don't post announcements on my social media accounts. Let family and friends share in their own way.']
Financial Digital Accounts
List online financial accounts and digital assets that have monetary value or ongoing costs.
Online Banking: [Bank, app/website]. Access: [via password manager]. Payment Services: [PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, etc.]. Balance to transfer: [approximate]. Cryptocurrency: [Do you own any? Where stored? Wallet type and recovery phrases location]. Online Businesses: [Any online stores, freelance platforms, etc.]. Monthly revenue: [approximate]. What to do: [instructions]. Domain Names: [List domains, registrar, auto-renew status, which ones to keep]. Active Subscriptions to Cancel: - [Service, e.g., 'Netflix'] — $[amount]/month — [card charged] - [Service] — $[amount]/month - [Service] — $[amount]/month - [List all recurring charges]
Email Accounts and Communications
Email is the hub of modern life. Your family may need access to handle accounts, notify contacts, and preserve meaningful messages.
Primary Email: [Provider, address]. Access: [via password manager]. This email is linked to: [major accounts, e.g., 'banking, insurance, most online accounts']. Secondary Email: [Provider, address]. Used for: [purpose, e.g., 'newsletters and shopping accounts']. Work Email: [Address]. Contact [person] at [company] for access/closure. Email Wishes: [What to do, e.g., 'Please check the primary email for at least 3 months to catch any important notifications. There's a folder called "Personal Letters" that contains messages I want the family to read.']. Messaging Apps: [List — WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram, Signal, etc.]. Important conversations: [any guidance, e.g., 'The WhatsApp group "Family" has years of photos and messages worth saving. Export it before closing my account.']
Common questions about this template
How do I actually fill out the Digital Legacy Checklist?
Start with Access and Passwords — list your devices and how someone can unlock them — then work through each section in order, entering account names, usernames, and your wishes for each one. You don't need to store passwords in the checklist itself; instead, note where they're safely kept (like a password manager) and who should access them. The checklist works best when you're specific about each account rather than leaving sections blank.
Should I keep my Digital Legacy Checklist in a will or separate document?
Your Digital Legacy Checklist is a practical planning tool that works best as a separate, living document rather than part of your formal will. While you can reference the checklist in your will (e.g., 'See my Digital Legacy Checklist for account details'), the checklist itself should be easier to update frequently since your digital life changes more often than your legal wishes do. This separation lets you add new accounts or change preferences without legal revisions.
Who should I share my Digital Legacy Checklist with and when?
Share your completed checklist with the person or people you've named to handle your digital legacy — your executor, a trusted family member, or a close friend. Tell them where you're storing it (written copy, cloud folder, or with your attorney) before you actually need it, so there's no scramble later. The goal is for them to know it exists and how to find it when the time comes.
How often should I update my Digital Legacy Checklist?
Review and update your Digital Legacy Checklist at least once a year, or whenever you create new accounts, delete old ones, or change your preferences for what happens to your social media. Since your digital life is constantly evolving — new subscriptions, new passwords, new photos — keeping it current ensures your family has accurate information and isn't stuck guessing about accounts you forgot to mention. Set a calendar reminder so it doesn't slip your mind.
Is the Digital Legacy Checklist legally binding?
The Digital Legacy Checklist itself is not a legal document, but it's an essential planning tool that supports your actual legal wishes. To make your digital legacy plans legally enforceable, reference the checklist in your will or appoint a specific digital executor with clear instructions. Many people also use the checklist alongside a Digital Power of Attorney to give someone legal authority to manage their accounts if needed.
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Important disclaimer
This template is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. It was created with the assistance of AI and may contain inaccuracies. Always consult a qualified professional for legal or financial decisions.