The Digital Life & Online Accounts Information Hub

Your online presence can outlive you, and without guidance, it’s hard for others to access or close your accounts. Think of this section as a map to your digital world. Here's what to collect and why it matters:

• A list of email addresses you currently use and what they’re tied to
• Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, etc.)
• Online banking and investment accounts
• Cloud storage services (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.)
• Photo and video sharing platforms
• Domain names or websites you own or manage
• Passwords or instructions for accessing your password manager
• Subscriptions and recurring digital services (Netflix, Spotify, news apps, etc.)
• Online storefronts or income-generating platforms (Etsy, Patreon, eBay)
• Notes about whether you want accounts deleted, memorialized, or transferred
• Your preferences for digital privacy, memorialization, and account shutdown

Without this info, your family may not be able to shut down subscriptions, access important documents, or protect your identity from fraud.

With online accounts becoming more and more part of everyday life, you can’t strive for perfection. Instead, the goal is to give someone else a clear path to step in if needed. Here’s how to begin:

• List all the email addresses you use: Start with your primary and backup emails. Add any work emails or accounts tied to subscriptions, banking, or apps.
• Check your phone and browser for logins: Scroll through your saved passwords, frequently used apps, and browser bookmarks to spot accounts you might otherwise forget.
• Write down your key online accounts: Think banking apps, social media, online shopping, cloud storage, streaming services, and anything tied to payments or personal data.
• Note any accounts that earn income: Platforms like Etsy, Patreon, Substack, or eBay may need to be shut down, transferred, or paused.
• Decide what you want done with each account: Write a sentence or two. Should your Facebook be memorialized? Should your iCloud be cleared? This guidance matters.
• Secure your logins: If you use a password manager, include instructions and your master password somewhere safe. If you don’t use one, now’s a good time to consider it.
• Mention devices and access codes: Include phone, tablet, and computer passcodes if they’re needed to reach stored accounts, photos, or files. We can't stress enough the importance of using a password manager.

Once a year, take five minutes to look over it. You don’t have to capture everything perfectly—just make it easy for someone to follow the trail.

Need professional assistance? Use our directories to find trusted service providers near you who specialize in estate planning, end-of-life organization, and related services.

Our lives are more digital than ever, but most people haven’t shared even the basics of their online accounts. These questions come up a lot when people start organizing this part of their life.