At Slater Heelis, we know that planning for the future can feel overwhelming. Today, so much of our personal, financial, and social lives take place online that it’s more important than ever to think about what will happen to your digital belongings when you can no longer manage them yourself.
Whether it’s online banking, cryptocurrency, social media accounts, or treasured photos stored in the cloud, your digital life forms a key part of your modern estate.
What Are Digital Assets?
“Digital assets” is a broad term covering anything of value or importance that exists only online. With millions of people in the UK now owning digital assets of one kind or another, these items are becoming just as significant as traditional property when planning your estate.
Common examples include:
- Online banking, investment and trading accounts;
- Social media profiles and the content you’ve uploaded;
- Online gaming, gambling or subscription accounts;
- Cloud‑based photo and video albums;
- Cryptocurrencies and NFTs; and
- Domain names, websites and online business assets.
Some digital assets have clear monetary value. Others hold deep personal or sentimental importance. Either way, they should be recognised and planned for.
Why Digital Assets Matter in Estate Planning
Although recent legal developments, including the Property (Digital Assets Etc.) Act 2025, have helped clarify how certain digital items can be treated as property, many digital assets remain difficult to locate, access or manage if someone loses mental capacity or passes away.
Without proper planning:
- Valuable accounts may be overlooked;
- Online investments may be lost;
- Sentimental photos or messages may be inaccessible;
- Attorneys and executors may struggle to recover or close accounts; and
- Families may face unnecessary stress at an already difficult time.
Proactive planning ensures that nothing important slips through the net.
Practical Steps You Can Take
Here are some simple steps to help you protect and organise your digital estate:
- Choose the right people
Select attorneys (for your lasting power of attorney) and executors (for your will) who are reliable, confident with technology and able to deal with your digital accounts. You can even appoint a “digital executor” specifically to handle your digital assets.
- Create a digital asset inventory
Make a clear list of your digital accounts, including usernames and access details, so they can be identified quickly. This should be kept securely and updated regularly. Include written permission for your attorneys or executors to access those accounts when needed, to manage your financial affairs or administer your estate.
- Use a secure password manager
Online password managers can store your login details safely in one place. Again, ensure your chosen representatives have permission to access this when needed.
- Understand recovery options
Different platforms have different rules about what happens when a user dies. Some allow account memorialisation or data downloads; others require formal legal authority. Make notes for your executors so they know what to expect.
- Keep your will up to date
Digital assets can change value rapidly — particularly cryptocurrencies and online investments. Make sure your will reflects what you own and how you want those assets dealt with.
How Specialist Legal Advice Can Help
Digital assets are a fast‑evolving area. They can raise complex legal, practical and tax issues, especially where high‑value or unusual digital holdings are involved. Getting specialist advice ensures that nothing gets missed and that your digital legacy is protected.
Get in Touch
Here at Slater Heelis our specialist team has extensive experience in managing complex estates involving both digital and physical assets. We can help you plan with confidence and ensure your wishes are carried out smoothly and effectively. We’re here to make future planning simpler, clearer and safer.
Get In Touch
Paul Baker is an Associate Solicitor in our Wills & Probate team at Slater Heelis. He provides clear, practical advice on all aspects of estate planning — from drafting wills and lasting powers of attorney to managing digital and physical assets.
To speak with Paul or another member of the team, call 03301 627 279 or complete our online contact form to arrange a consultation.
