What are digital assets in an estate?
Digital assets include cryptocurrency and NFTs, online bank/brokerage/PayPal balances, domain names, monetized social media and YouTube channels, e-commerce stores, cloud-stored photos and documents, loyalty and airline points, and email accounts. Many have real financial value, and some (like crypto) are permanently lost without the access keys.
What happens to my digital assets when I die?
It depends on the asset and the provider's terms of service. Nearly all US states have adopted RUFADAA (the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act), which governs how executors access digital accounts, subject to online tools and provider terms of service. Assets secured only by a password or private key that no one else knows can be lost forever, so an up-to-date inventory and access plan is essential.
How do I give my executor access to digital accounts?
Do not put passwords in your will (it becomes a public record in probate). Instead, keep a separate, secure, regularly updated inventory (a password manager or sealed document), name a digital executor where your jurisdiction allows, and use built-in legacy tools like Apple's Legacy Contact, Google's Inactive Account Manager, and Facebook's legacy contact.
Is cryptocurrency taxable in my estate?
Yes. Cryptocurrency is property. In the US it is included in your gross estate at fair market value and generally receives a step-up in basis for heirs. Accurate records of cost and holdings are critical for your executor.