Digital Assets in Estate Planning
Safeguard digital assets, online accounts and personal information within your estate.
Protecting access to digital assets after death.
For many people, a significant part of their financial life and personal history now exists online.
Cryptocurrency holdings, online investment platforms, digital business systems, cloud storage, social media accounts and private data all form part of a modern estate but are often overlooked in traditional estate planning.
If digital assets are not identified and properly structured, executors may struggle to gain access. Valuable assets can be permanently lost. Sensitive information may remain inaccessible or exposed.
Digital assets in estate planning are no longer a niche issue. They are an essential part of protecting modern wealth and personal information.
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Identifying digital wealth and information.
Digital assets may include:
- Cryptocurrency and digital wallets.
- Online brokerage and investment accounts.
- Domain names and digital intellectual property.
- Business systems and cloud-based financial platforms.
- Private data, research archives and confidential documents.
- Email, social media and subscription accounts.
Some carry significant financial value. Others hold operational importance or personal significance. All require careful consideration.
Cryptocurrency and complex digital holdings
Cryptocurrency requires particularly careful planning.
There is no central authority able to reset passwords or recover private keys. If access credentials are unavailable, digital currency can be permanently lost. In substantial estates, this can represent significant financial exposure.
Estate planning for cryptocurrency involves:
- Clear identification and documentation of holdings.
- Secure storage of private keys and recovery phrases.
- Structured and lawful access for executors.
- Accurate valuation for inheritance tax calculations.
Without careful planning, digital wealth may be irretrievable.
Legal authority, privacy and platform restrictions
Executors do not automatically gain access to online accounts.
Service providers operate under strict terms and privacy frameworks. Even where a death certificate is provided, access may be limited without clear testamentary authority.
Many clients maintain a secure digital asset inventory, updated regularly and stored confidentially. This approach preserves flexibility while protecting security.
Digital assets should be integrated into your wider estate strategy, including:
- Your will and trust structures.
- Lasting powers of attorney.
- Business succession planning.
- Inheritance tax strategy.
- International estate planning where assets are held overseas.
The objective is balance – robust protection during lifetime and practical accessibility when required.
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Why specialist advice matters.
Digital estates bring together legal, technical and practical challenges. Without proper planning, valuable digital assets can be overlooked, lost or inaccessible to executors.
Our private client solicitors advise individuals and families across London and the South East on how digital assets fit within modern estate planning. We take a careful, practical approach to ensure online assets, accounts and data are identified and structured properly alongside your will and wider estate arrangements.
Professional advice helps you:
- Identify overlooked digital wealth.
- Protect high-value cryptocurrency holdings.
- Reduce the risk of permanent loss.
- Align digital structures with tax planning.
- Provide executors with clear authority and guidance.
Meet our team
Talk to our private client team.
Digital assets are now an established feature of modern wealth, business ownership and personal life.
Whether you hold cryptocurrency, manage online investments, operate digital businesses or wish to protect confidential information, we provide structured and discreet advice tailored to your circumstances.
Contact Thomas Mansfield Solicitors to discuss incorporating digital assets into your estate planning strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Can my executors automatically access my digital accounts?
No. Access depends on the provider’s terms and the authority granted under your will. Many platforms restrict access, even after death. Without clear planning and proper documentation, accounts may remain inaccessible. Structured drafting and organised records significantly reduce the risk of delay or permanent loss.
How should high-value cryptocurrency be protected in estate planning?
Cryptocurrency requires secure storage of private keys and recovery phrases. You should maintain confidential access records in a secure location and ensure your will clearly authorises executors to manage digital assets. Proper identification and accurate valuation are also essential for inheritance tax purposes. Without structured planning, digital holdings can become permanently inaccessible and significant value may be lost.
Is cryptocurrency subject to inheritance tax?
Yes. For UK inheritance tax purposes, cryptocurrency is treated as an asset and forms part of your taxable estate. Its value is assessed at the date of death, which can be significant given market volatility. Executors must identify and report holdings accurately to HMRC, even if access to wallets is complex. Importantly, a tax liability can arise even where private keys are difficult to locate. Proper planning helps ensure both compliance and practical access.
Should passwords be included in my will?
No. A will becomes a public document after probate. Sensitive login information should be stored securely, for example in a password manager or protected record, and updated regularly. Your will can refer to the existence of this information without disclosing confidential details.
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Please note we cannot offer legal aid.