Your Digital Life Doesn’t End When You Do: Why Estate Planning in Georgia Must Cover More Than Property

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Summary:

Your digital life, photos, emails, subscriptions, crypto, and more, don’t automatically transfer when you pass. In Georgia, you must give explicit legal permission for someone to access or manage these assets, or your family could be shut out. A digital estate plan protects your legacy, prevents account loss, and keeps your online presence from draining your estate.

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Think about everything that lives in your phone, your laptop, and your cloud accounts. Messages, photos, streaming services, crypto wallets, your IPs, passwords. All of it belongs to you, but when you're gone, it becomes someone else's problem. If you don’t leave clear instructions, it becomes their burden.

Estate planning isn’t just about houses and bank accounts. It’s about your whole life. In Georgia, digital assets can slip through the cracks of a traditional will if you don’t call them out by name, and if you don’t follow the right process. That includes everything from your photos to your subscription services, and even your emails.

The law doesn’t assume access. You have to grant it. If you don’t, your family might be locked out of what matters most.

Password Managers, Recovery Keys, and Two-Factor Lockouts

Even if someone knows what accounts you have, they still need the keys. That means usernames, passwords, recovery keys, and two-factor authentication info.

Store this data in a secure password manager, or in an encrypted file that someone you trust knows how to access. Include backup methods like recovery codes and designated devices. Without this layer, your executor might run into dead ends even with a court order.

Subscriptions and Services That Drain Your Estate

Monthly charges don’t stop when life does. Subscription services, including streaming, news, apps, and software, can continue draining your estate if no one shuts them off.

Make a list of recurring subscriptions. Next to each one, say whether it should be canceled, transferred, or continued. Some services store important content, like your photo library or design portfolio. Tell your executor what to keep and what to cut.

Photos, Videos, and Digital Memories

Some memories are priceless. Others might be private. Decide what happens to your digital photos, videos, and documents, whether they’re stored in the cloud, on a hard drive, or in an app.

Your instructions should cover what gets preserved, what should be shared, and what needs to be deleted. If you want your social media to be memorialized or taken offline, say so. Services like Facebook and Google allow legacy settings, so you should set those up now.

Naming a Digital Executor

A digital executor is someone you trust to manage your digital world. They don’t have to be the same person as the executor of your will, but they do need to be tech-savvy enough to follow your instructions, access your accounts, and work with support teams if needed.

You can name this person in your will or trust, and give them authority through a power of attorney. Spell out what they’re allowed to do, and make sure they understand your priorities.

Why Explicit Consent Matters

Georgia’s version of the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) allows executors to access some digital assets, but not all. If you want your executor to see emails, texts, or private messages, you must give explicit permission in your legal documents.

Without it, the company holding the data may refuse access. Many Terms of Service block unauthorized access, even if your will says otherwise. Always put clear, written instructions in your will, trust, or power of attorney. A separate digital asset directive can also help.

Make Your Plan Work by Updating, Reviewing, and Storing Securely

Your digital life changes. Additions, deletions, password changes, and new platforms. Set a reminder to review your digital estate plan every year. Make sure your access list is current, your executor is informed, and your legal documents reflect your wishes.

Your life online is part of your legacy. Make sure it’s protected. LT Fobi Law, LLC helps Atlanta families take control of their digital and physical assets, so that wealth doesn’t get lost in probate, and memories don’t get locked away. Call 470-461-7703 to start your estate plan today.