What should be included in estate planning regarding digital assets?

In estate planning, it is essential to include explicit listed instructions for access and management of digital assets. Digital assets can encompass a wide range of items, such as online bank accounts, social media accounts, digital photos, cryptocurrencies, and other online property. Since these assets often require specific access credentials or management strategies, having a clear plan ensures that the executor or trustee can handle these assets according to the deceased's wishes.

Including detailed instructions eliminates ambiguity and reduces confusion for the executor and beneficiaries, ensuring that digital assets are managed appropriately and can be accessed smoothly. This is especially important given the varying terms of service across digital platforms and the need to comply with existing privacy laws and digital asset regulations. By providing explicit instructions, estate planners can ensure that their wishes regarding digital assets are honored and that these assets are distributed according to their intent.