Estate planning no longer covers just wills, trusts, and real estate. In 2026, nearly every Georgia resident has digital assets that hold financial, personal, or sentimental value. Without a digital estate plan, families can struggle to access accounts, recover important documents, or manage online property after someone passes away.
Georgia has adopted the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), which gives executors and trustees certain rights to access digital property — but only if your estate plan is drafted correctly.
Here’s what Georgia residents should update for 2026 to keep digital assets protected and accessible.
Why Digital Estate Planning Matters in 2026
Digital assets include anything stored online or electronically. For many families, these assets now hold as much value as traditional property.
Examples include:
- Online banking and investment accounts
- Email accounts
- Cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox)
- Social media accounts
- Cryptocurrency and wallets
- Digital business platforms
- Subscriptions and digital memberships
- Online photos and videos
- PayPal, Venmo, and other payment apps
- Domain names and websites
Without clear authorization, loved ones may not be able to access or manage these assets — even if they are the executor of your estate.
Learn more about estate planning essentials at our Estate Planning Services page.
1. Update Your Will or Trust to Include Digital Assets
Most older wills and trusts do not address digital property. In Georgia, your executor or trustee needs explicit permission to:
- Access online accounts
- Reset passwords
- Download financial data
- Shut down or memorialize social media accounts
- Manage cryptocurrency or digital wallets
- Close or transfer online business platforms
Without written authority, service providers may legally refuse access.
Your updated 2026 documents should:
- Define digital assets
- Authorize your fiduciary to access them
- Explain how you want accounts handled
- Include language compliant with Georgia’s RUFADAA rules
2. Create a Digital Asset Inventory
A digital estate plan should include a confidential list of your accounts. Never store this list directly in your will, because wills become public records in Georgia probate.
Instead, keep a private digital inventory containing:
- Account names
- URL / platform
- Purpose of the account
- Location of backup recovery codes
- How the account should be handled after death
This list can be stored in:
- A password manager
- An encrypted digital file
- A secure physical document
- A trust document or attorney’s vault
Make sure your executor knows how to locate it.
3. Use a Password Manager for 2026
Password managers are becoming essential for estate planning. They allow you to organize:
- Login credentials
- Recovery codes
- Private keys
- Two-factor authentication methods
Many password managers include an emergency access feature, so your executor can gain control if something happens to you. This prevents lockouts that could freeze important assets.
4. Plan for Cryptocurrency and Digital Wallets
Cryptocurrency is lost forever if private keys or seed phrases cannot be recovered. Unlike traditional bank accounts, no institution can restore access.
If you own cryptocurrency, your plan should document:
- Wallet locations
- Hardware devices
- Seed phrases
- Exchange accounts
- Instructions for transfer or liquidation
A trust is especially useful for crypto because it provides privacy and avoids probate delays. Learn more about trusts on our Trust & Estate Planning page.
5. Decide What Happens to Social Media and Online Content
Each platform has its own rules for memorializing or closing an account.
You should specify:
- Whether accounts should be deleted or memorialized
- Who can manage or download content
- Which accounts hold business materials versus personal posts
- What should happen to family photos stored in cloud accounts
Without instructions, platforms may lock your family out indefinitely.
6. Protect Your Digital Financial Life
Digital financial accounts need special attention because they directly affect probate and taxes.
Review these accounts in your 2026 update:
- Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, Zelle
- Online banking portals
- Retirement accounts managed entirely online
- Digital investment platforms like Robinhood or Coinbase
- Recurring subscriptions linked to your debit or credit cards
Make sure beneficiary designations and account titles match your overall estate plan.
7. Give Your Executor the Legal Authority They Need
Your executor must have permission to:
- Access digital devices (phones, laptops, tablets)
- Reset passwords
- Manage digital assets
- Close or transfer accounts
Georgia law requires explicit wording for this authority. Without it, companies may deny your executor access even with a court order.
8. Back Up Important Documents in Secure Digital Storage
Every Georgia resident should organize digital copies of:
- Wills and trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Insurance policies
- Real estate documents
- Business contracts
- Tax returns
- Identification documents
Store them in encrypted cloud storage or a secure physical drive.
Final Thoughts
Digital estate planning is no longer optional in 2026. As more of our lives move online, Georgia residents must update their wills, trusts, and asset inventories to ensure a smooth transition of digital property. Proper planning prevents lockouts, protects financial value, and gives loved ones the information they need during a difficult time.
If you want to update your digital estate plan before 2026, Hurban Law can help you create a secure, comprehensive plan that complies with Georgia law and protects every part of your digital life.
