Glossary

Digital Estate Planning Terms and Definitions

Navigating digital legacy planning can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This is a complete digital estate planning glossary with clear definitions of passwords, accounts, legacy contacts, and digital concepts for families to get started. By understanding the language, you can make a clear plan to protect your family’s digital life.

 

 

Disclaimer: This glossary provides general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Access Key

A unique code provided by digital platforms (like Apple’s Digital Legacy) that designated family members need along with a death certificate to access a deceased person’s account. Without both the access key and death certificate, legacy contacts cannot gain access to accounts.

The process of regaining access to digital accounts when passwords are forgotten, devices are lost, or the primary account holder becomes incapacitated. Most platforms have specific procedures involving security questions, backup emails, or phone verification.

Apple’s feature that allows users to designate Legacy Contacts who can access iCloud data after death. Available on iOS 15.2+ and macOS 12.1+. Legacy contacts receive an access key and can download photos, messages, notes, and other iCloud data with proper documentation.

A phone, computer, or tablet that has been verified by an account and can receive security codes or notifications. When someone dies, their authenticated devices often become the only way to access accounts that require two-factor authentication.

A person added to financial accounts (bank accounts, credit cards) who has permission to access and manage the account. Unlike beneficiaries, authorized users have access while the primary account holder is alive and can continue managing accounts during emergencies.

Pre-generated security codes that can be used to access accounts when primary two-factor authentication methods aren’t available. These one-time codes are crucial for family members who need emergency account access.

A person designated to receive assets after someone’s death. Traditional beneficiaries apply to financial accounts, but most digital platforms don’t have beneficiary systems – they use legacy contacts or memorial account procedures instead.

Built-in password storage in web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) that saves login information. These passwords are usually device-specific and require account access to sync across devices, making them unreliable for family emergency access.

Online file storage services like Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, or OneDrive where documents, photos, and important files are stored remotely. Access to cloud storage often requires specific digital legacy planning since family members can’t access cloud files without proper credentials.

Digital storage for cryptocurrency assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other digital currencies. These wallets use private keys or seed phrases that, if lost, make the cryptocurrency permanently inaccessible – even to heirs with legal documentation.

Any online account, file, or digital property that has value or importance to a person or family. This includes financial accounts, photo libraries, business websites, social media accounts, cryptocurrency, domain names, and subscription services.

The process of organizing and preparing for the management of digital assets after death or incapacity. Unlike traditional estate planning, digital estate planning focuses on online accounts, passwords, and platform-specific procedures.

A person designated to manage digital assets and online accounts after someone’s death. Unlike traditional executors, digital executors need technical knowledge and must work within platform-specific policies rather than just legal frameworks.

Platform-specific designations that allow chosen individuals to access certain account data after the account holder’s death. Different platforms call this feature by different names but serve similar functions with varying levels of access.

The web address for a website (like digitallegacykit.com). Domain names are valuable business assets that must be renewed annually. If someone dies and the domain isn’t transferred properly, valuable websites can be lost permanently.

Features in password managers and some platforms that allow designated people to request access to accounts during emergencies. Usually involves a waiting period (24-72 hours) unless the primary user approves the request immediately.

Security technology that makes data readable only to the sender and intended recipient. Even the platform provider cannot read encrypted data, which means some information may be permanently inaccessible if the account holder dies without sharing access credentials.

Facebook’s system that allows users to designate someone to manage certain aspects of their Facebook account after death. Legacy contacts can accept friend requests, update profile photos, and download account data, but cannot read private messages or make posts as the deceased person.

Platform features (like Apple Family Sharing or Google Family Library) that allow family members to share purchases, storage, or content while alive. Family sharing arrangements typically end when the primary account holder dies, requiring separate legacy planning.

Google’s digital legacy feature that allows users to specify what happens to their Google accounts (Gmail, Photos, Drive) after a period of inactivity. Users can designate trusted contacts to receive data downloads and can set accounts to be deleted after specified timeframes.

Google’s specific term for their digital legacy planning feature. Users can set their accounts to share data with trusted contacts or delete accounts entirely after periods of inactivity (3, 6, 12, or 18 months).

The general term for people designated to access digital accounts after someone’s death. Different platforms use different names for this role, but the concept involves pre-designating trusted individuals who can access account data with proper documentation.

Apple’s cloud storage service that stores photos, documents, device backups, and app data. iCloud contents are only accessible through Apple’s Digital Legacy feature or by accessing the deceased person’s authenticated devices before they lock.

The single password that unlocks a password manager containing all other account passwords. If someone dies without sharing their master password, family members typically cannot access any of the stored account information.

Social media accounts converted to memorial status after someone dies. Memorial accounts typically display “Remembering [Name]” and allow friends to share memories, but family members cannot log in or access private content unless legacy contacts were previously designated.

Another term for two-factor authentication – security systems requiring multiple forms of verification to access accounts. MFA significantly complicates family access to accounts after death since verification often requires the deceased person’s phone or authentication app.

Software applications that store and organize login credentials for multiple accounts. Password managers can include emergency access features that allow designated family members to request access to stored passwords during crises.

The process of setting up digital legacy features for individual platforms (Google, Apple, Facebook, etc.) since each platform has different procedures and policies for posthumous account access.

In cryptocurrency, the secret code that proves ownership of digital assets. Private keys or seed phrases must be stored securely and shared with trusted family members since they cannot be recovered if lost – making cryptocurrency permanently inaccessible.

A series of words (usually 12 or 24) that can restore access to cryptocurrency wallets. Recovery phrases are crucial for cryptocurrency inheritance since they’re often the only way to access digital assets after someone dies.

Personal questions used to verify identity during account recovery (mother’s maiden name, first pet’s name, etc.). Family members often don’t know the answers to security questions, making account recovery difficult without proper documentation.

Accounts accessed by multiple family members, often for services like streaming (Netflix), shopping (Amazon), or cloud storage. Shared accounts require special planning since multiple people may lose access when the primary account holder dies.

The management of social media accounts after death, including memorial accounts, legacy contacts, and decisions about preserving or deleting online presence. Each platform has different policies and procedures for posthumous account management.

A person designated by account holders to help with account management during emergencies or after death. Different platforms use different terms, but trusted contacts typically need specific documentation to access accounts.

Security feature requiring two forms of verification – typically a password plus a code from a phone or app. 2FA can prevent family access to accounts even when passwords are known, requiring special planning for emergency access.

The terms of service for digital platforms that govern account access, data ownership, and what happens to accounts after death. User agreements often override traditional estate planning documents and must be considered in digital legacy planning.

Common Questions About Digital Legacy Terms

What's the difference between a beneficiary and a legacy contact?

Beneficiaries receive assets after death through legal processes, while legacy contacts are platform-specific designations that provide access to digital account data. Most digital platforms don’t have beneficiary systems – they use legacy contact features instead.

Digital platforms operate under their own terms of service and privacy policies. While executors have legal authority over estates, platforms typically require their own legacy procedures (like legacy contacts) rather than accepting traditional estate documentation.

Without platform-specific legacy planning, digital accounts typically become permanently inaccessible after death. Even with court orders and estate documentation, platforms may not provide access to accounts that don’t have legacy contacts or inactive account managers set up.

Attempting to access accounts without authorization is typically illegal and violates platform terms of service, even for family members. Proper digital legacy planning involves legitimate access methods rather than password guessing or unauthorized access.

Ready to Implement Digital Legacy Planning?

Understanding these terms is the first step toward comprehensive digital estate planning. Each platform has specific procedures, and proper planning requires more than just knowing the terminology.

 

For step-by-step guides, family conversation scripts, and complete digital estate planning systems: Visit DigitalLegacyKit.com for comprehensive tools that turn this knowledge into actionable family protection.

 

Don’t let unfamiliar terminology prevent your family from accessing important digital assets and memories. Start with understanding, then move to implementation with proven systems designed specifically for digital legacy planning.

 

 

Digital platform terms and features change frequently. This glossary reflects common terminology and features as of 2025. Always verify current platform-specific procedures and terminology when implementing digital legacy planning.

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