Digital Legacy Checklist: What Happens to Online Accounts After Death
The average person has over 100 online accounts. When someone dies, managing those accounts falls to their family — often without guidance. This checklist covers 23 platform types with specific instructions for each.
Important Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Last reviewed: April 12, 2026
Digital account policies vary by platform and change frequently. The instructions in this checklist reflect each platform's publicly documented policies as of April 2026. We recommend visiting each platform's help center directly for the most current procedures.
Reviewed by
Linkora Editorial Team
Digital legacy planning and memorial technology
The Bigger Picture
Why This Matters
Digital accounts contain irreplaceable photos, messages, and memories. Without planning, families may permanently lose access to them.
average online accounts per person
Source: NordPass
US states have adopted RUFADAA
Source: Uniform Law Commission
of families have no digital estate plan
Source: Caring.com survey
Most platforms have memorialization or deletion policies, but families often don't know they exist. The information is scattered across dozens of help centers, written in corporate language, and rarely easy to find during a time of grief. This checklist brings it all into one place.
Overall Progress
0 of 23 items completed
Social Media
Email & Communication
Cloud Storage & Photos
Financial & Subscriptions
Password Management
Platform policies change frequently. We verify these instructions periodically, but always check the platform's help center directly for the most current process. Your checklist progress is saved locally in your browser.
Download as PDF
Get the full checklist with all 23 platforms in a printable PDF, including space to note account credentials for your estate plan.
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Legal Background
RUFADAA Explained
The Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) is a model law that provides a legal framework for who can access your digital accounts after you die or become incapacitated.
What it is
RUFADAA is a uniform law that has been adopted by 46 US states plus the District of Columbia. It governs how fiduciaries (executors, trustees, agents under a power of attorney) can access digital assets belonging to a deceased or incapacitated person. Before RUFADAA, there was no consistent legal framework, and platforms could refuse access even to estate executors.
Key point: you can plan ahead
Under RUFADAA, you can designate a person to access your digital accounts after your death — either through the platform's own tools (like Google's Inactive Account Manager or Apple's Digital Legacy Program) or through your estate plan (will, trust, or power of attorney). The law establishes a clear priority: your online tool settings take priority over your will, which takes priority over the platform's default terms of service.
Recommendation
Consult an estate attorney in your state to understand how RUFADAA applies to your specific situation. Laws vary by state, and an attorney can help you include digital asset provisions in your will or trust. At minimum, set up the built-in legacy tools offered by Google, Apple, and Facebook — they are free and take only a few minutes.
Source: Uniform Law Commission — RUFADAA
Preserve what matters most in one place
A Linkora digital memorial ensures your most important photos and stories are preserved in one place — connected to a physical monument via QR code. Instead of scattered memories across dozens of platforms, families get a single, permanent home for the legacy that matters.
Learn How It WorksReviewed by
Linkora Editorial Team
Digital legacy planning and memorial technology
Sources & References
- [1]Facebook Help Center: Memorialized Accounts — Official documentation on how Facebook handles accounts after a person dies, including memorialization and deletion options (accessed Apr 2026)
- [2]Google Support: Inactive Account Manager — How to set up Inactive Account Manager and what happens to Google accounts after prolonged inactivity or death (accessed Apr 2026)
- [3]Apple Support: Digital Legacy Program — How to add a Legacy Contact for your Apple ID and how Legacy Contacts can request access after death (accessed Apr 2026)
- [4]Uniform Law Commission: Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) — The model legislation adopted by most US states governing fiduciary access to digital assets after death or incapacity (accessed Apr 2026)
- [5]NordPass: Average Number of Online Accounts — Research on digital footprint size, reporting that the average person has 100+ online accounts (accessed Apr 2026)
Linkora strives to provide accurate, up-to-date information sourced from credible institutions. If you believe any information is inaccurate or outdated, please contact us so we can review and correct it.
Don't Let Digital Memories Disappear
Photos scattered across cloud accounts, stories shared only on social media, memories that vanish when an account is deleted. A Linkora memorial brings it all together in one permanent, accessible place.
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