Tip Sheet

Digital Afterlife Planning Checklist

Digital Afterlife Planning Checklist Preparing Your Digital Life for Death or Incapacity image

Preparing Your Digital Life for Death or Incapacity 

Digital Inventory 

☐ Create a secure, up-to-date list of all digital accounts, services, and subscriptions. 

☐ Include device names and operating systems (e.g., ‘MacBook Pro – FileVault enabled’). 

☐ Record MFA settings and recovery procedures for each asset. 

☐ Review and update the inventory at least annually. 

Password Management 

☐ Store all account credentials in a trusted password manager. 

☐ Ensure all passwords are actually stored within the password manager, not kept separately. 

☐ Enable emergency access or designate a digital heir. 

☐ Print and store the password manager’s recovery materials (e.g., 1Password Emergency Kit) in a secure location. 

Devices and MFA 

☐ List and store PINs/passcodes for critical devices. 

☐ Save recovery keys for encrypted drives (BitLocker/FileVault). 

☐ Share backup codes or register alternative MFA methods accessible to a trusted contact. 

Cloud Services and Smart Home 

☐ Designate Apple Legacy Contact and configure Google Inactive Account Manager. 

☐ Document access instructions for smart home devices (locks, thermostats, etc.). 

Financial and Legal Files 

☐ Organize digital copies of tax documents, legal files, and financial trackers in a secure cloud location. 

☐ Share access instructions with your digital executor or include them in your will. 

Social Media and Online Accounts 

☐ Decide what should happen to each major account (memorialize, delete, transfer). 

☐ Set up legacy contact or account manager access where available. 

Business and Organizational Access 

☐ Document succession plans for business-critical accounts and systems. 

☐ Train alternate personnel and store recovery materials securely. 

☐ Audit admin-level access regularly and include contingency plans in HR policy. 

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