Digital Executor Checklist: Organizing Online and Offline Information

What to include in your digital executor checklist

A thorough digital executor checklist covers both online and offline information. Online accounts include email, social media, subscriptions, cloud storage, online banking, investment accounts, streaming services, and any other digital service you use regularly. Offline information includes the location of important documents such as your will, trust, insurance policies, deeds, vehicle titles, and tax records. Your checklist should also cover trusted contacts — attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, and family members your executor may need to reach — and personal wishes that will help your executor make decisions aligned with your preferences. The goal is to create a complete picture that leaves no category unaddressed, so your executor can proceed confidently knowing they have considered every area of your affairs.

Organizing online accounts

• List every digital account you maintain — email, social media, subscriptions, online banking, investment portals, cloud storage, streaming services, and any other platform with personal or financial content
• For each account, note what you want your executor to do — close it, transfer it, keep it active, or download content before closing
• Record where the password for each account is stored if you use a password manager — do not list the password itself in the checklist
• Include accounts that may not seem important but could cause confusion, such as subscription services that renew automatically or free accounts linked to your email
• Note any accounts with recurring charges so your executor knows which subscriptions need to be canceled or transferred
• Add instructions for digital content you want preserved, such as photo libraries, written work, or personal correspondence

Organizing offline documents and information

• List the location of your will, trust, and any codicils or amendments — include the exact physical location and any file names if stored digitally
• Document where insurance policies are kept — life, health, home, auto, and any specialty policies such as long-term care or umbrella liability
• Record the location of property deeds, vehicle titles, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and divorce decrees
• Include the location of tax records — both recent returns and supporting documents for past years
• Note where safe deposit boxes are located, who has access, and where the key is kept
• Document home system information such as alarm codes, utility account numbers, service provider contacts, and maintenance schedules

Trusted contacts and professional advisors

Your executor will need to know who to call for legal, financial, tax, and practical matters. Create a section in your checklist for trusted contacts including your estate attorney, accountant or tax preparer, financial advisor, insurance agent, and any other professionals who manage aspects of your affairs. For each contact, include their full name, phone number, email address, firm or practice name, and a brief note about their role. You should also include family contacts your executor may need to reach, such as adult children, siblings, or close friends who have important information or should be notified of certain decisions. Having these contacts organized in advance prevents delays and reduces stress during the early days when your executor may not know who to call for specific matters.

Personal wishes and guidance

Beyond accounts and documents, your executor will benefit from knowing your personal wishes. This includes preferences for digital accounts such as whether you want your social media profiles memorialized, deleted, or preserved. It includes guidance on family heirlooms, charitable wishes, and any personal messages you want delivered. Your executor may also need to know about funeral or memorial preferences, burial or cremation wishes, and any pre-arranged plans you have made. Recording these wishes in your digital checklist ensures your executor can honor your preferences without having to guess or rely on secondhand information. These personal details are often the most meaningful part of the checklist for your family. Knowing your preferences gives them confidence that they are making decisions aligned with what you would have wanted.

Step-by-step checklist for getting started

• Start with what you know — list the accounts and documents you can recall without searching, then fill in gaps over time
• Use a tool with guided prompts so you do not forget important categories like digital accounts or household information
• Record enough detail for each entry that your executor can act without needing to ask follow-up questions
• Add your trusted contacts early — your executor may need professional guidance before they can act on other information
• Include personal wishes even if they feel informal — small preferences can prevent confusion or family disagreements
• Share your checklist with your executor or a trusted family member so they know it exists and how to access it
• Set a recurring reminder to review and update your checklist every six to twelve months
• Note your password manager and how your executor can access it when they need login credentials
• Add brief context for each entry so your executor understands what it is and why it matters

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until everything is perfect before starting — a partially complete checklist is still more helpful than no checklist at all
• Storing passwords in the checklist — use a password manager for credentials and your checklist for notes and guidance
• Making the checklist too vague — specific account names, document locations, and instructions help your executor act confidently
• Creating it once and never updating — accounts close, contacts change, and wishes evolve over time
• Forgetting digital accounts — subscriptions, social media, and cloud storage accounts all need guidance for your executor
• Not telling anyone the checklist exists — even the best checklist is useless if no one knows where to find it

How Lieu & Legacy helps build your digital executor checklist

Lieu & Legacy provides structured, guided sections that walk you through each part of a comprehensive executor checklist. The platform covers digital accounts, document locations, trusted contacts, household information, and personal wishes. You can work through each section at your own pace, starting with what is most important and adding details over time. When you are ready, you can share access with your executor so they have a complete, current picture of your affairs. The guided prompts in each section help you include the right information without needing to know what questions to ask. Lieu & Legacy is designed for families who want a private, organized way to prepare without requiring legal knowledge or technical expertise.

When to speak with a professional

A digital executor checklist is an organizational tool and does not replace professional advice. If you have questions about the legal responsibilities of an executor, the terms of your will or trust, or whether your estate plan is properly structured, consult a qualified estate attorney. For financial planning questions, speak with a certified financial planner or accountant. Lieu & Legacy is not a law firm and does not provide legal, tax, financial, medical, emergency, or probate advice. This article is for general organization and education only. For advice specific to your situation, speak with a qualified professional.