As more of our financial, personal and social lives move online, digital assets have become an increasingly important part of estate administration. When someone dies, executors in the UK must now deal not only with physical possessions and traditional bank accounts but also online accounts, digital wallets, cloud storage and social-media profiles. Understanding how to handle these digital assets in probate is essential to ensure the estate is administered lawfully and in accordance with your loved one’s wishes.
Digital assets are broadly defined as anything of value or significance that exists electronically. This includes obvious items such as online banking and investment accounts, PayPal balances and cryptocurrency holdings, but it also extends to cloud-stored photos, email accounts, loyalty points, personal websites and digital business assets. Many people also have substantial online identities across platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X, which may need to be closed, memorialised or managed after death.
Considerations for Executors
In the UK, digital assets that hold value form part of the estate and must be included in the probate process. Executors must handle these assets carefully, particularly because online service providers have strict privacy rules and terms of service. Most providers will only engage once they receive evidence such as a death certificate, the Will and, where required, a Grant of Probate.
Identifying Digital Assets
The first challenge is simply locating the deceased’s digital presence. Executors may need to review devices, emails and paperwork to determine what online accounts exist. Family members can often provide valuable information about services used by the deceased.
Key places to check include:
Valuing and Securing Digital Assets
Once the digital estate is identified, executors must determine which assets have financial value and need to be reported for probate. Cryptocurrency requires special attention: access depends on private keys or seed phrases, and without them the asset may be lost permanently. The value of cryptocurrency must be recorded at the date of death for inheritance tax purposes. Online business assets, domain names and digital wallet balances may also need professional valuation.
Executors should take steps to secure accounts and prevent data loss. This may include contacting service providers, safeguarding devices and ensuring that valuable files or sentimental photos are preserved.
Distributing or Closing Accounts
After valuation, digital assets can be transferred or closed in line with the Will or intestacy rules. Financial assets may be cashed out or moved, while personal items such as photos, videos and documents can be shared with beneficiaries. Social-media accounts are usually either memorialised or deleted depending on family preference and platform policies.
Planning Ahead
Digital estate planning can make the probate process significantly smoother. Individuals should consider keeping an updated list of online accounts in a secure location and using tools such as Apple Digital Legacy, Google’s Inactive Account Manager or Facebook’s Legacy Contact. Clear instructions can help prevent the loss of valuable or sentimental items.
Handling digital assets in probate is now a standard part of UK estate administration. With careful planning and consideration, families can ensure both financial and personal digital property are managed properly and respectfully.
If you are an executor and would like to discuss how Lawson West can help, please give our friendly team a call on 0116 212 1000 or 01858 445 480 or complete our Contact Us form.
Created by AI and checked by a qualified solicitor
