Digital legacy planning
How to Create a Digital Estate Plan
Step-by-step guidance for documenting accounts, preserving digital assets, naming trusted contacts, and giving loved ones clear instructions.
Support articles for loved ones
Read clear, step-by-step guides for the first digital tasks after a loss, from accessing accounts and memorializing profiles to protecting devices, email, and phone numbers.
Start with our most helpful guides
These articles cover the most common next steps for loved ones, including what to do first, how to access accounts, how to close email, and how to preserve important information.
Digital legacy planning
What Happens to Your Digital Accounts When You Die
An overview of major platform policies, common after-death account outcomes, and how to plan so loved ones are not left guessing.
First steps
Do This First When a Loved One Dies: Managing Digital Accounts
A practical first-steps guide for preserving access, gathering records, and avoiding digital mistakes during the first phase after a death.
Account access
How to Access a Deceased Person's Online Accounts
How to gather documents, request lawful access, work with providers, and protect privacy when managing a deceased person's online accounts.
Phone number after death
What Happens to a Phone Number When Someone Dies?
What usually happens to a cell phone number after death, when families can keep it, and how to avoid losing access to bank alerts, account recovery, and two-factor codes.
Email management
How to Close or Transfer a Deceased Person's Email Account
What families should expect when dealing with Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo after a death, including documentation, likely outcomes, and connected services.
Financial security
How to Secure a Loved One's Online Banking and Subscription Accounts
Step-by-step help for locating accounts, stopping fraud, notifying providers, and closing online banking and subscription services after a death.
Social media
Memorialize or Close a Facebook Account
How to choose between memorialization and deletion, what each option preserves, and what families should prepare before they submit a Facebook request.
Social media
Memorialize or Close an Instagram Account
How memorialization and deletion differ on Instagram, what remains visible, and what families should preserve before making a request.