Protecting a Deceased Person's Identity

At a Glance-

• Thieves target the weeks right after a death, when no one is watching the accounts.
• The first steps cost nothing and need no court order: a careful obituary, a secured home, a protected phone line, and controlled death certificates.
• Credit bureau notices, mail control, and account changes follow as soon as someone has authority.
• Never "close" a retirement account. Notify the custodian and let the beneficiaries handle the transfer.
• Keep a log. If fraud surfaces later, it shows the estate acted promptly.

Why the Weeks After a Death Are Dangerous

Identity theft does not end with death. The weeks after a death are among the most vulnerable for a person's personal and financial information. Criminals read obituaries, scan public records, and exploit the delays that come while a family grieves and an estate is organized. A stolen Social Security number, a redirected piece of mail, or an overlooked online account can be used to open credit, file a false tax return, drain accounts, or even attempt a forged deed.

The reason is simple. The victim can no longer watch the accounts or dispute charges, and the family is overwhelmed. The longer the gap between the death and the lockdown, the bigger the opportunity. Acting early is far easier than unwinding fraudulent accounts, defending collection actions, or recovering stolen funds later.

Who Has Authority, and When

A fiduciary owes the estate reasonable care, loyalty, and confidentiality. In practice, reasonable care includes prompt, sensible steps to keep the decedent's identity and assets out of a thief's hands.

The catch is authority. A power of attorney ends at death, and so does a guardian's authority to act. After a death, the people who can act are the successor trustee, for assets held in a trust, and the executor, administrator, or commissioner appointed by the probate court.   In Ohio, the court may appoint an executor, an administrator, or a commissioner; the paper is Letters of Authority.  In Missouri, the he court may appoint an executor or an administrator; the court paper is the court paper is Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.

If there is a trust, the successor trustee should be able to monitor, track, and document activity on the trust's assets right away. If that isn't sufficient, for whatever reason, consider early the appointment of a commissioner, administrator, or executor through the probate court, but seek legal counsel. Common reasons include assets outside the trust, an institution that insists on court papers, and the post office, which forwards a deceased person's mail only for an appointed executor or administrator. 

Until someone is appointed, the family can still do a great deal. The steps below are grouped by timing, starting with the ones that need no authority at all.

The First 72 Hours

These steps need no court order.

• Write a careful obituary. Leave out the full date of birth, the mother's maiden name, the street address, and other details that answer common security questions. Never publish the home address alongside the service times.

• Guard the home during services. Burglars watch for funerals and visitations. Have someone stay at the house.

• Secure the residence. If the home will be vacant, tell the insurer, because many policies limit coverage after a period of vacancy. Remove valuables and papers, change or add locks, use timers and outside lighting, and consider cameras. When the house is listed for sale, avoid lockboxes that hold keys.

• Collect the wallet, checkbooks, and cards. Lock them up. Note who else had access to cards, keys, or passwords, such as caregivers, cleaners, or relatives.

• Keep the phone line active. The decedent's cell number often receives the login codes for bank and email accounts. Keep paying the bill, and ask the carrier for a port-out PIN or number lock to block SIM-swap theft.

• Secure devices, but don't wipe them. Phones, computers, and tablets hold photos, records, authentication apps, and sometimes crypto keys. Wiping them can destroy estate property. Store them safely until the contents are preserved and the fiduciary approves.

• Control the death certificates. Many states print the Social Security number on the certificate. Order only the certified copies you need in a single request, and have them delivered to the funeral home or the fiduciary rather than to an empty house. You should request return of the originals, even if mailed, but in the latter case enclose a self-addressed stamp envelope for return.  Keep track of who has one.  Ohio law says the certificate contains the SSN. In practice, copies issued to the general public omit it for five years unless the requester is eligible and asks for it.

• Confirm that Social Security knows. The funeral home usually reports the death to the Social Security Administration. Benefits are paid a month behind, so the payment that arrives in the month after death must be returned. Don't spend it.

The First Two Weeks

• Notify the credit bureaus. Write to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Include a copy of the death certificate and proof of your authority. Ask that the file be marked "Deceased – Do Not Issue Credit," and request a copy of the decedent's credit report. Each bureau says it passes the notice to the others. Write to all three anyway, and confirm. Bureaus accept a spouse or an executor; ask whether they will accept a successor trustee.

• Don't forget the fourth bureau. Innovis will add a deceased statement on request.

• Ask about a freeze. The deceased notice is the main tool. Some bureaus will also place a security freeze on a decedent's file. Ask.

• Flag the specialty agencies. ChexSystems and Early Warning Services track checking and savings accounts. NCTUE tracks phone, cable, and utility accounts. Send each a death certificate and proof of authority, and ask for a deceased notation or a freeze.

• Review the credit reports. Look for unfamiliar accounts and recent inquiries. They may show that fraud is already under way.

• Take control of the mail. This step needs an appointed executor or administrator. The Postal Service redirects a deceased person's mail only in person, and only with proof of appointment; a death certificate alone is not enough (USPS). Ask the post office about any holds or forwarding orders the family did not request.

• Stop the junk mail. Register the decedent on the DMAchoice Deceased Do Not Contact list to cut off pre-approved credit offers.

• Sign up for property fraud alerts. Many Ohio counties will email you when any document is recorded under a name you enroll, including Franklin, Summit, and Stark. Enroll both the decedent's name and the trust's name. Check with your county recorder or fiscal officer.

• Cancel the driver's license and passport. Surrender the license or state ID to the BMV so a duplicate can't be issued. Mail the passport to the State Department with a copy of the death certificate to cancel it.

• Cancel automatic payments. Stop subscriptions, automatic payments, and recurring transfers that are no longer needed.

The First 90 Days

Most of these steps need formal authority.

• Get an EIN/TIN. The estate needs its own Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). So does a trust that became irrevocable at death. Open estate or trust accounts under the new number and move assets promptly. This shortens the time assets can be reached through the decedent's old information.  For help, see our articles: "Sorting the confusion between SSNs,TINs, ITINs, and EINs" and  "Retain an Attorney or Accountant to Seek and Obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number for a Trust,"

• File Form 56. IRS Form 56 tells the IRS who the fiduciary is.

• Handle joint accounts correctly. A joint account with survivorship belongs to the survivor. Retitle it in the survivor's name; it does not go to the estate.

• Retitle estate and trust accounts. Individual accounts with no beneficiary designation move to the estate or the trust. Ask each institution to mark the decedent's records "Deceased."

• Do not close retirement accounts. IRAs, 401(k)s, and annuities pass to the named beneficiaries. Cashing one out can trigger all the income tax at once and wipe out the beneficiaries' options. Notify the custodian, and let the beneficiaries handle the transfer. Investment accounts should generally be transferred, not sold in a hurry.

• Close the credit cards. Close individual credit cards, ask that each be marked "Deceased," and destroy the cards.

• Notify insurers, pension plans, and annuity companies.

• Notify other agencies as needed. These include the Department of Veterans Affairs, professional licensing boards, and, where relevant, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Voter rolls are usually updated from death records; contact the board of elections if they aren't.

• Secure the online accounts. Email is the gateway to password resets. Keep the main email account open only as long as it is needed for login codes, then close it. Change passwords and turn on two-factor authentication for any account that must stay open during administration, and close the rest. Memorialize or remove social media profiles; public profiles supply personal details and photos thieves use. For more, see my articles on digital assets in your estate plan and the digital assets inventory instructions.

Through the First Year

• File the final return promptly. A filed return is the best defense against a fraudulent refund claim. If the IRS rejects an e-filed return because the Social Security number was already used, file on paper with Form 14039, the Identity Theft Affidavit.

• Watch the IRS mail. Look for notices about returns no one in the family filed.

• Review medical statements. Check Medicare Summary Notices and supplemental-plan statements for services billed after the date of death. Report them to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

• Recheck the credit reports. Pull them periodically for at least a year.

• Report fraud quickly. If fraud surfaces, report it at IdentityTheft.gov and to local police. Send the creditor a written dispute with a copy of the death certificate.

• Keep a log. Record every institution notified, the date, the method, and the confirmation number. If fraud surfaces later, the log shows the estate acted diligently.

The free notices above block most new accounts. The tools below add an early warning. Some are free; some are paid subscriptions.

Tools That Watch for Fraud After a Death

Tool	What it watches or blocks	Cost	Who can use it	Watch out for
Equifax, Experian, TransUnion	“Deceased” notice on the credit file blocks new credit; you can request the decedent’s report	Free	Spouse or executor; send a death certificate and proof of authority by mail	Each bureau says it shares the notice with the others. Write to all three anyway, and confirm.
Innovis	Fourth national credit bureau; adds a deceased statement to the file	Free	Spouse or legal representative; court papers if not named on the death certificate	Often overlooked because it isn’t one of the “big three”
ChexSystems and Early Warning Services	Checking and savings account applications and history	Free	Fiduciary with a death certificate and proof of authority	No published process for decedents; call or write and ask for a deceased notation or a security freeze
NCTUE	New phone, cable, and utility accounts	Free	Fiduciary with a death certificate and proof of authority	No published process for decedents; ask for a freeze
County property fraud alerts (for example, Franklin, Summit, Stark)	Emails you when any document is recorded under a name you enroll	Generally free	Anyone; enroll the decedent’s name and the trust’s name	Covers one county only; people with the same name trigger false alerts
Home Title Lock	Monitors title and mortgage records; offers help restoring title after fraud	$19.95 a month, or $227.40 a year	Homeowners; ask whether it will enroll a property held by an estate or trust	Despite the name, it does not lock the title. It alerts. A free county alert may cover the same ground.
EverSafe	Flags unusual activity across bank, investment, and credit card accounts, credit files, and real estate	Monthly subscription	Marketed to older adults, families, and fiduciaries	Built for monitoring during life. Confirm it can be used during estate administration before you subscribe.
Bank and brokerage alerts	Texts or emails for withdrawals, transfers, address changes, and new payees	Free	The fiduciary, once the accounts are in the estate’s or trust’s name	Turn on every alert type offered, not just the defaults
DMAchoice Deceased Do Not Contact	Removes the name from marketing lists, including pre-approved credit offers	Free online; $1 by mail	Family member or fiduciary	Can take up to three months to take effect

Most commercial monitoring services were designed for living customers. Before paying for one, confirm that it will enroll a deceased person's name, an estate, or a trust. Prices and terms are as posted by each provider and may change.

Bottom Line

Families already dealing with grief should not have to become full-time fraud investigators. You don't need to do everything on the first day. Start with the free steps that need no authority: the obituary, the house, the phone, and the death certificates. Then the credit bureaus and the mail. Then the accounts. If the trust can't reach everything, seek a court appointment early rather than late, BUT CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY; there are many estates that benefit from waiting six months from the date of death to open.  That's a whole different article.

A focused effort in the first days and weeks prevents the far larger problems that come when identity theft is discovered months later. It protects both the decedent's dignity and the estate's finances, and it leaves a clear record that the fiduciary acted with care.

Digital Assets Inventory Worksheet- Instructions and Guidance

A Digital Assets Inventory is a comprehensive list of a person’s digital assets, including online accounts (email, social media, banking), digital files (photos, videos, documents), cryptocurrencies, subscriptions, devices, and the like, along with access details like usernames, passwords, and security questions. In estate planning, a DAI is crucial for many reasons, but primarily because the law expects that fiduciary authority over such assets be explicitly conferred, and fiduciaries, your trustees and agents, are often unable to discover, access, or manage digital assets without specific necessary information (such as a username).  

You can obtain a Digital Assets Inventory Worksheet by emailing (chris@donohew.com) or faxing a request (866-904-9638) to our office (we don't limit access to clients, but if you are using our forms you might considering joining).

If you are a new or recent client, you received a Digital Assets Inventory Worksheet with your funding instructions/forms. You can use the form to catalog your digital assets. You can either print these sheets out and complete the information by hand, or you can type the information on your computer. Regardless, you should keep them in a secure location, such as your LegalVault®.

Provided that your sheets do not include passwords, account numbers, or other sensitive information, you can print them out and file them after either the "Miscellaneous" or "Property Transfer" tabs in your binder. Consider three-hole punching the document at the bottom in order to prevent loss of information (only notes to you as a user are in the bottom margin).

The worksheet is designed to comply with the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), ensuring your fiduciaries can legally access and manage your digital assets in Ohio and Missouri.

Instructions for Use

The worksheet is designed with practicality in mind: signature lines for you (and your spouse if necessary) on each page to ensure authenticity, page numbering keeps it organized, and instructions at the bottom guide you, for example, on marking inactive accounts (e.g., striking through the Priority Level or setting it to ‘0’ on a computer, with the date of inactivity noted). There are multiple lines for dates as you update the information.  These features make it easy for you and your fiduciaries to manage your digital assets effectively. You simply fill out one row per digital asset. 

  Keep in mind three important considerations:

• Life and Death: Access to these acccounts may be necessary while you are alive.  Dismissing accounts as having no value at death misses the point.  Even at death, recurring billing can drain the estate. 
• Information Needs Unknowable: There is no way to know, in advance, how or why information contained in any of these accounts may prove crucial either during your life or after.
• Strict Categorization Isn't Necessary:  Accounts and platforms may have several services, so overlap of Account Types will occur.  This is expected, especially as platforms and accounts expand services to other areas.  Strict categorizing isn't as important as inclusing all of your digital assets. 

 

The following are instructions for each column of the worksheet.

Asset Type: This first column categorizes the digital assets, and helps fiduciaries (trustees, agents, executors) understand the nature of the asset and prioritize access. Below you will find below a comprehensive, if not exhaustive, list of asset types to a purpose; the list should help you identify all of your digital assets so that they are all included. Fiduciaries must be aware of the types of accounts that may exist, their value, and special considerations they pose in administering an estate. You might be shocked at how many there are, and how many you may be using.

Description: This column provides a brief explanation of the asset (e.g., “Primary email account,” “Family photo collection”), which can add clarity, especially for assets that might not be immediately recognizable by their type or platform.

Platform/Location: This column identifies the service or provider hosting the asset (e.g., Gmail, Facebook, Dropbox), or the physical location of the device (e.g., "Tonal- South Garage wall."

Account ID/Username: This column lists the specific identifier for the account (e.g., email address, username, account title); crucial for fiduciaries to initiate access requests with custodians, as required by RUFADAA (e.g., Ohio Rev. Code § 2137.07, Mo. Rev. Stat. § 474.620).

Access Requirements: This column Describes how to access the asset (e.g., “login via website,” “Two-factor authentication(2FA) with phone”), which helps fiduciaries understand the steps needed to gain access, especially if additional verification (e.g., 2FA) is required.

Consent For Content Access: This column ensures fiduciaries know whether they have legal authority to access sensitive content (e.g., “Yes: GDPOA 2023; Trust 2020"), preventing legal barriers or delays.  RUFADAA requires explicit consent to access the content of electronic communications (e.g., email content, private messages) (Ohio Rev. Code § 2137.06, Mo. Rev. Stat. § 474.615). THIS COLUMN SHOULD BE COMPLETED FOR EVERY ASSET- it bolsters the general authority contained in your trust, power of attorney or will.  This is why you must sign every sheet. Yes; even if you have used an online tool.

Designated Access (Online Tool): This column notes if you have employed an online tool, such as Google’s Inactive Account Manager or Facebook’s Legacy Contact has been used to grant access, and to whom. It is also a reminder to check online tools. RUFADAA in both Ohio and Missouri prioritizes online tools (Ohio Rev. Code § 2137.03, Mo. Rev. Stat. § 474.610). This column, and your use of online tools, aligns with RUFADAA’s hierarchy and prevents fiduciaries from wasting time on other methods if an online tool already governs access.

Priority Level: Indicates the urgency of accessing the asset- "Low, Medium or High" (e.g., “High: Financial account,” “Low: Old social media profile”), helping fiduciaries prioritize their efforts, especially in the immediate aftermath of death or incapacity when financial accounts may need urgent attention.

Notes:  Use this column to provide detailed instructions, such as how to handle encrypted assets, preferences for memorialization or deletion, instructions for transferring ownership, or tech support contacts. Include any special considerations, such as ‘Do not share password by email or text’ or ‘Consult estate attorney for NFT transfer.'

The following are examples of recommended Notes:

• Potential Liabilities or Risks:  Identify any potential liabilities or risks tied to the asset, such as ongoing subscriptions that need to be canceled (e.g., “Auto-renews at $99/month), security concerns (e.g., lack of 2FA), or legal issues (e.g., unlicensed software). This helps your trustees/agents mitigate financial losses or security risks.

• Monetary or Sentimental Value: Estimate the monetary value (if applicable) or describe the sentimental significance of the asset (e.g., ‘Contains 20 years of family videos,’ ‘Holds $10,000 in airline miles’). This helps your family gauge the importance of the asset beyond its priority level and decide whether to transfer, preserve, or liquidate it.

• Backup or Recovery Options:  Specify if the asset has a backup (e.g., ‘Photos backed up on iCloud and external drive’) or recovery options (e.g., ‘Password reset via alternate email’). This helps fiduciaries recover assets if primary access fails."

• Instructions: Provide handling instructionsm such as encrypted accounts or investments (e.g., “Crypto wallet requires hardware key in safe deposit box”). 

• Preferences for Memorialization: (e.g., “Memorialize Facebook account, do not delete”).

• Instructions for Transferring Ownership: (e.g., “Transfer domain name to my son, John Doe”).

• Contact Information for Tech Support:  (e.g., “Contact Coinbase support at support@coinbase.com for wallet access”).

You can always supplement the Notes by attaching instructions, or referring to to additional documents or pages.

How to Research Platform Policies

When managing a Digital Asset Inventory, your fiduciaries may need to understand a platform’s specific policies on inactivity, account deletion, or fiduciary access to ensure they can act promptly and within legal bounds. Here’s how to research these policies effectively:

• Check the Platform’s Terms of Service or Help Center: Most platforms outline their policies on inactivity, account deletion, or fiduciary access in their Terms of Service or Help Center. Navigate to the platform’s website, scroll to the footer, and look for links like “Terms of Service,” “Privacy Policy,” or “Help.” Search within these sections for terms like “inactive accounts,” “deceased users,” or “fiduciary access” to find relevant information.
• Search for Specific Instructions Online: Use targeted search queries to find platform-specific guidance. For example, search for “[Platform Name] fiduciary access” or “[Platform Name] deceased user policy” (e.g., “Google fiduciary access” or “Facebook deceased user policy”). This often leads to official articles, FAQs, or support pages detailing the steps to request access or manage an account after the owner’s passing.
• Contact Customer Support Directly: If policies are unclear or difficult to find, reach out to the platform’s customer support team. Look for a “Contact Us” or “Support” link on the website, and submit a query explaining your role as a fiduciary. Be sure to document all communications, including dates, names of representatives, and responses, as this can help resolve disputes or clarify requirements later.

By taking these steps, fiduciaries can gather the necessary information to manage digital assets efficiently, ensuring compliance with platform policies and minimizing the risk of losing access to valuable accounts.

Security- Best Practices for the Worksheet

The Digital Asset Inventory Worksheet contains sensitive information, such as usernames and access requirements, making it a potential target for unauthorized access. To protect your estate and prevent security breaches, follow these best practices for storing and sharing the worksheet:

• Avoid Storing Passwords Directly in the Worksheet: Do not include passwords in the worksheet itself to minimize the risk of exposure. Instead, reference their location (e.g., “Password stored in LastPass vault” or “Credentials saved in a locked safe at home”). This ensures that even if the worksheet is accessed, the most sensitive information remains secure.
• Encrypt the Worksheet for Digital Storage: If you store the worksheet digitally, encrypt it to add a layer of protection. Use tools like a password-protected PDF, an encrypted USB drive, or software that supports encryption (e.g., VeraCrypt). Encryption ensures that only authorized individuals with the decryption key or password can access the contents.
• Share the Worksheet Securely with Your Fiduciary: When sharing the worksheet, use a secure method to prevent interception. Provide it through a trusted intermediary, such as your estate planning attorney, or use a secure cloud service with two-factor authentication (2FA), like Google Drive or Dropbox, ensuring that only your designated fiduciary can access it.

By following these security practices, you safeguard the sensitive information in your Digital Asset Inventory Worksheet, ensuring that your digital assets remain protected and accessible only to those you trust to manage your estate.

ASSET TYPES

The most common asset types are:

• Electronic Devices: Smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, tablets, external hard drives, flash drives, game consoles, cameras, drones, dashcams.

• Email Accounts: Yahoo, Gmail, Outlook, AOL, Hotmail, custom domains (e.g., name@familydomain.com), employer-provided emails.

• Messaging & Communication Accounts: WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, iMessage, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord.

• Financial Accounts: Banks, credit unions, savings and loans, brokerage accounts, mutual funds, credit card accounts, employee benefit accounts, PayPal, Venmo, retirement savings accounts, sports betting, skill game accounts.

• Tax & Government Accounts: IRS online accounts, state tax portals, Social Security Administration (MySSA), Veterans Affairs accounts.

• Smart Home and IoT Accounts: Amazon Alexa, Google Nest, Ring, Nest Thermostat, Philips Hue, SmartThings, Tesla.

• Music Streaming Accounts: Apple Music, Pandora, Tidal, Spotify. Online Merchant Accounts: Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Zappos, Wal-Mart.

• Subscription Services: Meal kit services (e.g., HelloFresh), subscription boxes (e.g., Birchbox), software subscriptions (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365).

• Publication Accounts: Newspapers, blogs, magazines, academic platforms (e.g., JSTOR, ResearchGate), podcast subscriptions (e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify).

• Entertainment Accounts: YouTube, Roku, Amazon Prime, Fandango at home (formerly Vudu), Snapfish, Rumble, Flickr, iTunes, Google Play, Vimeo, Apple Music, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch Online.

• Gaming Accounts: PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch Online, Epic Games, Roblox, Steam, Twitch.

• Web Service Accounts: Apple iCloud, Googledocs, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, password managers (e.g., LastPass), VPNs (e.g., NordVPN).

• Social Media Accounts: Facebook, X, Instagram, SnapChat, Truth Social, Pinterest, LinkedIn, TikTok, WhatsApp, Signal.

• Commerce Benefit Accounts: Airline miles, railroad miles, hotel rewards, retailer reward/loyalty programs, travel awards, cashback programs (e.g., Rakuten), credit card rewards (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards). 

• Cryptocurrency & Blockchain Accounts: Bitcoin wallets (e.g., Coinbase, Binance), Ethereum accounts, NFT marketplaces (e.g., OpenSea), blockchain-based gaming assets.

• Intellectual Property/Creative Accounts: Patreon, Substack, Medium, Shutterstock, SoundCloud, DeviantArt.

• Health & Fitness Accounts: Fitbit, MyFitnessPal, 23andMe, AncestryDNA, Strava.Wearable Device Accounts: Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, Whoop.

• Password Manager Accounts: LastPass, Dashlane, 1Password, KeePass.

• Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Security Accounts: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, antivirus software accounts (e.g., Norton, McAfee). These may be necessary to access other assets securely, preventing service interruptions or security risks.

• Educational and Professional Accounts: Coursera, Udemy, ResearchGate, JSTOR, professional association memberships (e.g., IEEE, AMA). These may contain valuable resources (e.g., course certificates, research papers) or memberships that need to be managed.

• Domain Names and Website Accounts: GoDaddy, Namecheap, WordPress, Squarespace. These may have monetary value (e.g., a premium domain) or sentimental value (e.g., a personal blog).

• Cloud-Based Productivity Tools: Accounts for tools like Notion, Trello, Asana, Monday.com, or Evernote, which may contain important project data, notes, or workflows.

• E-Book and Audiobook Accounts: Kindle, Audible, Kobo, Scribd, or Google Books accounts, which may hold purchased digital libraries or reading progress.

• Online Learning and Certification Platforms: Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, or edX, which might contain certificates or course progress tied to professional development.

• Photo and Video Storage/Editing Accounts: Accounts for services like Adobe Lightroom, Canva, Shutterfly, or SmugMug, where edited or stored media might reside.

• Crowdfunding and Investment Platforms: Kickstarter, Indiegogo, SeedInvest, or Fundrise, where contributions or investments might need to be managed.

• Digital Collectibles and Virtual Goods: Virtual goods in games or platforms, like in-game purchases (e.g., Fortnite V-Bucks, FIFA Points) or digital trading cards (e.g., NBA Top Shot).

• Online Dating Accounts: Tinder, Bumble, Match.com, or OkCupid, which may need to be closed or managed for privacy reasons.

• Telehealth and Medical Accounts:  Telehealth services like Teladoc, Amwell, or patient portals for healthcare providers, for medical records, billing histories, or appointment histories.

• Charity and Donation Accounts: Accounts for recurring donations or memberships on platforms like GoFundMe, Patreon (for donations), or charity websites (e.g., Red Cross donor accounts).

• Remote Work and Collaboration Tools:  Accounts for tools like Zoom, Webex, or Google Workspace, for meeting recordings, shared files, documents, or calendars.

• Online Food Delivery Accounts: DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, or Instacart, for saved payment methods, rewards, or subscription benefits.

• Fantasy Sports and Gambling Accounts: Beyond sports betting, accounts for fantasy sports platforms like ESPN Fantasy, Yahoo Fantasy, or DraftKings, for monetary value, rewards or active leagues.

• Pet and Animal-Related Accounts: Pet care services like Rover, Chewy (for recurring pet supply orders), or pet microchip registries (e.g., HomeAgain).

• Home and Car Maintenance Accounts:  Accounts for services like Carfax (vehicle history), AAA memberships, or home maintenance subscriptions (e.g., Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor).
• Digital Legacy Services: Accounts for services designed for digital estate planning, like Everplans or Cake, for stored instructions or documents.

• Online Survey and Reward Accounts: S
  wagbucks, Survey Junkie, or InboxDollars, where users may have accumulated points, gift cards, or cash rewards.
• Digital Art and Design Accounts:  Procreate, Figma, Sketch, or Dribbble, which might contain original artwork, design files, or portfolios with monetary or creative value.
• Genealogy and Family History Accounts: Beyond 23andMe and AncestryDNA, accounts for platforms like MyHeritage, FamilySearch, or Findmypast, which may store family trees, historical records, or DNA data.
• Event and Ticketing Accounts: Accounts for platforms like Ticketmaster, Eventbrite, or StubHub, which might hold purchased tickets for concerts, sports events, or theater shows that need to be transferred or canceled.
• Online Therapy and Mental Health Accounts:  Accounts for services like BetterHelp, Talkspace, or Headspace, which might contain session histories, subscriptions, or meditation progress.
• Digital Will and Legacy Accounts:  Trust & Will, LegalZoom, or Willing, where digital wills, trusts, or other estate planning documents might be stored.
• Ride-Sharing and Mobility Accounts:   Uber, Lyft, or Lime (electric scooters), for saved payment methods, ride credits, or subscription plans (e.g., Lyft Pink).
• Online Gaming Communities and Forums: Reddit, Quora, or gaming forums (e.g., NeoGAF, ResetEra), for sentimental value or valuable posts/ contributions.
• Insurance and Warranty Accounts: Online accounts for insurance providers (e.g., Geico, Allstate) or warranty services (e.g., SquareTrade, AppleCare), which might hold policy details, claims, or coverage plans.
• Streaming Device Accounts: Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, or Apple TV.
• Crowdsourcing and Collaboration Accounts: GitHub, GitLab, or Behance, which might contain code repositories, collaborative projects, or creative portfolios.
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Accounts: Oculus, HTC Vive, or apps like VRChat, which might include purchased games, virtual assets, or social connections.
• Online Booking and Reservation Accounts: OpenTable, Resy, or Airbnb, for upcoming reservations, travel plans, or host accounts that need to be managed.
• Digital Signature and Document Signing Accounts:  DocuSign, Adobe Sign, HelloSign, which might store signed contracts, agreements, or legal documents.
• Energy and Utility Accounts:  Utility providers (e.g., electricity, water, gas) or renewable energy services (e.g., Tesla Solar, Sunrun).
• Online Parenting and Education Accounts:  Outschool, Khan Academy, or Epic! (children’s reading app), which might contain educational progress, subscriptions, or parental controls.
• Freelance and Gig Economy Accounts:   Upwork, Fiverr, or TaskRabbit, for active projects, client communications, or earned income.
• Subscription-Based Learning Tools for Kids:  ABCmouse, Duolingo Kids, or BrainPOP, for educational subscriptions or progress for children, or stickers, awards, certificates, artwork, etc., of sentimental or occupational value.

• Home Security System Accounts: ADT, Vivent, SimpliSafe, or Arlo, which manage home security cameras, alarms, or smart locks. These may contain footage, access codes, or subscription plans.
• Property Management and Rental Accounts: Zillow Rentals, Apartments.com, or Airbnb (for hosts), which might include lease agreements, tenant communications, or rental income details.
• Smart Appliance Accounts: Samsung SmartThings appliances (e.g., refrigerators, washing machines, LG ThinQ, or Bosch Home Connect, for settings, warranty info, or remote control features.
• Home Maintenance Subscription Accounts: Recurring home maintenance services like lawn care (e.g., Lawn Love, TaskEasy), pest control (e.g., Terminix, Orkin), or HVAC servicing (e.g., One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning).
• Vehicle Telematics and Tracking Accounts: Accounts for vehicle tracking or telematics services like OnStar (GM), FordPass, Toyota Safety Connect, or aftermarket trackers (e.g., Tile, TrackR).
• Car Sharing and Rental Accounts: Turo, Getaround, or Zipcar, for active rentals, payment methods, or vehicle access details.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Service Accounts: Jiffy Lube, Pep Boys, or Meineke, which might store vehicle service records, appointments, or loyalty points.
• Fuel and Charging Station Accounts:  Fuel rewards programs (e.g., Shell Fuel Rewards, ExxonMobil Rewards) or electric vehicle charging networks (e.g., ChargePoint, Electrify America, EVgo), for saved payment methods or credits.
• Parking and Toll Accounts: Accounts for parking apps (e.g., ParkMobile, SpotHero) or toll payment systems (e.g., E-ZPass, SunPass), for payment methods or active passes.
• Personal Property Inventory Apps: Accounts for apps like Sortly, Encircle, or Nest Egg, which are used to catalog personal property (e.g., furniture, jewelry, collectibles) for insurance or estate purposes.
• Home Renovation and Design Accounts: Houzz, Home Depot Design Space, or IKEA Place, which might contain saved designs, project plans, or purchased items for home improvements.
• Gardening and Landscaping Accounts:  Smart sprinkler systems (e.g., Rachio, Orbit), plant care apps (e.g., Planta, Blossom), or landscaping services, which might manage watering schedules or garden plans.
• Moving and Storage Accounts: Storage unit providers (e.g., Public Storage, U-Haul) or moving services (e.g., PODS, Moving.com), for rental agreements, payment details, access codes, or personal property location.
• Personal Property Auction or Resale Accounts: Accounts where personal property is sold, like Decluttr (for electronics), Poshmark (for clothing), or Chairish (for furniture), for active listings or earnings.
• Collectibles and Hobby Accounts:  Collectibles or hobbies, such as eBay (for trading cards), Reverb (for musical instruments), or StockX (for sneakers), for valuable items or transactions.
• Homeowner’s Association (HOA) or Condo Accounts: Online portals for HOA or condo associations (e.g., AppFolio, Buildium), which might contain payment histories, community documents, or maintenance requests.
• Smart Garage/Gate Access:  Smart garage door openers (e.g., Chamberlain MyQ, LiftMaster) or gate access systems, for  remote access settings or logs.
• Vacation Home or Timeshare Accounts:  Accounts for timeshare platforms (e.g., Marriott Vacation Club, Disney Vacation Club) or vacation home management apps, for booking details, maintenance schedules, or ownership documents.
• Boat and Recreational Vehicle (RV) Accounts:  RV-related services, such as Boatsetter (boat rentals), RVshare, or marina memberships, for rental agreements, maintenance logs, or registration details.
• Digital Keys and Access Codes: Digital key management systems (e.g., August Smart Lock, Schlage Home), which might store access codes for homes, vehicles, or safes containing personal property.
• Digital Memorial and Tribute Accounts:  ForeverMissed, Legacy.com, or Tributes.com, for memorial pages, tribute videos, or guestbooks for loved ones, preserving memories or messages.
• Online Voting or Civic Engagement Accounts:  Vote.org, TurboVote, or local election portals, for voter registration details, absentee ballot requests, or civic engagement history.
• Digital Recipe and Cooking Accounts:  Allrecipes, Tasty, or BigOven, for saved family recipes, meal plans, or cooking notes, which could be sentimental for family members.
• Online Spiritual or Religious Accounts:  Pray.com, Bible Gateway, or online church portals (e.g., Church Center), forprayer journals, donation records, or virtual service participation.
• Digital Time Capsules or Future Messaging Accounts: FutureMe, TimeCapsule,  MyLastingMemories, etc., for scheduled messages, letters, or videos to be delivered to family members in the future.
• Online Art Gallery or Exhibition Accounts:  ArtStation, Saatchi Art, or Redbubble, for uploaded artwork, sold prints, or curated galleries, potentially with monetary or sentimental value.
• Virtual Event Attendance Accounts:  Hopin, Run The World, or Airmeet, for registered virtual conferences, webinars, or family reunions, with saved recordings or tickets.
• Digital Journals or Diary Accounts: Day One, Journey, or Penzu, for personal journals, daily reflections, or life events, holding significant sentimental value.
• Online Language Learning Accounts: Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, which might contain progress in learning a language, potentially tied to family heritage or personal goals.

I've identified several, mostly sentimental account types that capture both the sentimental interactions between adults and children, e.g., grandparents and grandchildren, for example, and the practical caregiving responsibilities of parents and caretakers. They ensure that memories are preserved and caregiving duties can be seamlessly transferred or continued by someone else if needed.

• Digital Scrapbooking and Memory-Keeping Accounts:  Mixbook, Shutterfly, or Artifact Uprising, for created photo books, calendars, or scrapbooks.
• Family Communication/Memory-Sharing Apps: FamilyAlbum, Tinybeans, or Lifecake, for stored photos, videos, or milestones.
• Video Call Accounts (Beyond Messaging): FaceTime, Skype, or Google Meet, which grandparents might use to regularly connect with grandchildren and record special moments (e.g., storytelling sessions or virtual playdates).
• Online Storytime or Reading Accounts: Storyline Online, Epic!, or Vooks, for purchased or read digital books, saved reading lists or progress.
• Shared Gaming or Interactive Apps: Kahoot!, Roblox, Animal Crossing, for shared or saved play games, virtual worlds, or quizzes.
• Event Planning for Family Gatherings:  Evite, Paperless Post, Punchbowl, for family events (e.g., birthday parties, holiday gatherings), invatations,and RSVPs.
• Crafting and Activity Subscription Accounts: KiwiCo, Little Passports, or Green Kid Crafts, for orders and subscriptions of activity kits, saved project histories or subscriptions.
• Virtual Museum or Zoo Accounts:  Virtual experience accounts like Google Arts & Culture, National Geographic Kids, or zoo livestream subscriptions (e.g., San Diego Zoo), for shared exhibits or animal cams.
• Music and Sing-Along Accounts:   Singa (karaoke app) or kids’ music apps (e.g., Super Simple Songs on YouTube). 
• Shared Calendar Accounts: Shared family calendars (e.g., Google Calendar, Cozi), for recorded or scheduled special outings, visits, or events.
• Childcare and Babysitting Accounts:  Care.com, Sittercity, UrbanSitter, where parents arrange childcare, store caregiver contacts, or manage payments for ongoing care.
• School and Education Portals: Accounts for school management systems like ClassDojo, Seesaw, or Schoology, where parents track their child’s assignments, grades, or communicate with teachers, essential for continuing educational support.
• Extracurricular Activity Accounts: TeamSnap, SportsEngine, Gamechanger, Flowrestling, SignUpGenius, where parents manage sports teams, dance classes, or Scouts activities, including schedules, payments, or team communications.
• Children’s Subscription Boxes: Subscription services like Raddish (cooking kits for kids), MEL Science (science experiments), or Highlights (magazines), which provide ongoing activities or educational materials for children.
• Parental Control and Monitoring Accounts:  Qustodio, Bark, or Net Nanny, for monitoring a child’s online activity, screen time, or location, ensuring safety and continuity of oversight.
• Meal Planning and Nutrition Accounts for Kids:  Yummly, Paprika, or kid-specific meal services (e.g., Nurture Life, Little Spoon), where parents manage meal plans, dietary restrictions, food allergies, or baby food subscriptions.
• Medical and Vaccination Records Accounts:  Pediatrician portals (e.g., MyChart, FollowMyHealth) or vaccination tracking apps (e.g., VaxCare), for a child’s medical history, appointments, or immunization records.
• Special Needs Support Accounts: Autism Speaks Resource Library, Goally (for ADHD/autism), or therapy apps (e.g., Speech Blubs), to manage care plans, therapy schedules, or developmental tools for those with special needs.
• Toy and Clothing Subscription Accounts: Kidbox, Hanna Andersson (clothing subscriptions), or Lovevery (developmental toys), for rewardsm subscriptions, or history of toys or clothes.
• Savings and Trust Accounts for Children: Greenlight (kids’ debit cards), UNEST (529 plans), or custodial accounts (e.g., Fidelity Youth Account), for saving or managing money for a child’s future.
• Emergency Contact and Safety Apps: Life360, Find My Kids, or bSafe, to track a child’s location, set up emergency contacts, or receive safety alerts.
• Child Therapy and Counseling Accounts: Little Otter (pediatric mental health), MDLIVE (behavioral health for kids), or school counseling portals, for past or future  therapy sessions or mental health support.
• Digital Baby Monitoring Accounts:  Smart baby monitors like Nanit, Owlet, or Miku, for sleep patterns, video footage, or health metrics (e.g., heart rate, oxygen levels) for infants.
• Co-Parenting Accounts (for Separated Parents):  Accounts for platforms like OurFamilyWizard, 2Houses, or TalkingParents, where parents manage shared custody schedules, expenses, or communications, critical for continuity in caregiving.
• Travel Accounts for Family Trips: TripIt, Wanderlog, or Disney Genie (for Disney trips), where parents plan family vacations, store itineraries, or manage bookings for children’s activities.
• Digital Pen Pal or Letter-Writing Accounts:  

  Slowly (digital pen pal app) or Handwrytten, e.g., grandparents might exchange letters or messages with grandchildren, creating a digital record of their bond.

• Online Board Game or Puzzle Accounts:  Chess.com, Puzzingo, or Tabletopia, where grandparents might play digital board games, chess, or puzzles with grandchildren, saving game histories or achievements.
• Virtual Reality Social Spaces for Kids:  Accounts for kid-friendly VR platforms like Rec Room (with parental controls) or AltspaceVR, where grandparents might join grandchildren in virtual spaces for shared activities or events.

• Digital Storytelling Creation Accounts: StoryJumper, My Storybook, or Book Creator, where parents/grandparents might create custom stories or books for grandchildren, preserving personalized tales.

• Online Astronomy or Stargazing Accounts: Accounts for apps like Stellarium, SkySafari, or Night Sky, where grandparents might explore constellations with grandchildren, saving favorite star maps or observation notes.  

• Child Safety Product Accounts: S
  mart child safety devices like AngelSense (GPS tracking for kids with special needs), Jiobit, or smart car seats (e.g., Cybex Sirona S), which might store location data, alerts, or safety settings.  

• School Fundraising or Volunteer Accounts: 
  Accounts for platforms like Boosterthon, DonorsChoose, or PTO websites, where parents might manage school fundraisers, donations, or volunteer schedules for their child’s school.  

• Child Behavior and Reward Tracking Apps:  
  Accounts for apps like Classcraft, ChoreMonster, or GoNoodle, where parents track a child’s behavior, chores, or rewards, ensuring continuity of routines or incentives.  

• Online Tutoring or Homework Help Accounts:  
  Accounts for platforms like Khan Academy Kids, Wyzant, or Chegg Tutors, where parents arrange tutoring sessions or access homework resources for their child.

• Digital Allowance/Chore Management Accounts:  Accounts for apps like BusyKid, RoosterMoney, or PiggyBot, where parents manage a child’s chores, allowance, or savings goals, critical for maintaining financial routines.

• Children’s Art and Creativity Accounts: Accounts for platforms like Artsonia, Tynker (coding for kids), or Crayola Create and Play, where a child’s artwork, coding projects, or creative outputs might be stored, holding sentimental value.

• Sleep Training/Bedtime Routine Accounts:  Accounts for apps like Huckleberry, Moshi, or Calm Kids, where parents manage a child’s sleep schedules, bedtime stories, or relaxation routines, important for maintaining consistency.  

• Online Playdate or Social Group Accounts:  Accounts for platforms like Playdate (app for scheduling playdates) or Peanut (for connecting parents), where parents might arrange social activities or playgroups for their child.  

• Child Development Milestone Tracking Accounts:  The Wonder Weeks, Kinedu, or BabySparks, where parents track developmental milestones, activities, or parenting tips, essential for ongoing care.

• Online Camp or Summer Program Accounts:  CampDoc, Sawyer, or local camp websites, where parents manage registrations, payments, or schedules for children’s summer camps or programs.

How Our Firm Protects Your Digital Asset Wishes

At Monty L. Donohew, LPA, we take a proactive, client-centered approach to digital estate planning. Here’s how we ensure your digital assets are protected:

Customized Legal Documents: We draft trusts, wills, and Powers of Attorney with specific provisions for digital assets, ensuring compliance with RUFADAA and platform terms of service.

Final Instructions and Forms: We provide every trust client with a set of Final Instructions and Forms, empowering your trustees and agents with the knowledge, tools, and forms, to administer or settle your trust with confidence, significantly minimizing future legal expenses. 

Education and Guidance: We educate you on the importance of digital assets and guide you through creating and maintaining your inventory.

Secure Planning: We recommend secure methods for storing access information and work with you to appoint a capable digital fiduciary.

Secured Planning Documents: We encourage and work with you to set up secure storage of your estate planning documents, introducing, employing, and deploying for you such third party services as LegalVault®.

Ongoing Support: During periodic estate plan reviews, we’ll revisit your digital asset inventory to help keep it up to date and aligned with your goals.

Collaboration with Experts: If your digital assets include complex items like cryptocurrency or online businesses, we collaborate with financial and tech experts necessary to ensure proper management.

Take the Next Step Today

Your digital assets are a vital part of your legacy, and neglecting them could leave your loved ones grappling with chaos. By taking the steps outlined above, you can bring order to your digital life and provide peace of mind for yourself and your family. Start by completing the digital asset inventory sheet and scheduling a consultation. We’ll work together to integrate your digital assets into a comprehensive estate plan tailored to your aging-in-place goals.

I understand you might be concerned about the time, cost, or privacy implications of managing your digital assets. Rest assured, updating your estate plan to include digital assets is a straightforward process that typically takes just a few hours and offers significant long-term value by avoiding costly legal disputes. Our firm prioritizes your privacy, recommending secure storage solutions like LegalVault® to protect sensitive information while ensuring your fiduciaries can access what they need.

Ready to secure your digital legacy? Contact us to book an appointment. Let’s ensure your digital assets are as protected as your physical ones.