Estate planning isn’t just about houses, cars, and savings accounts anymore. In today’s digital world, many families have valuable property online—cryptocurrency, NFTs, digital businesses, even social media accounts that bring in advertising income. But here’s the catch: if you don’t plan ahead, your loved ones may never be able to access or inherit these assets.
What Happens to Crypto and NFTs?
Cryptocurrency and NFTs are unique because they don’t exist in a physical form. Without access to your private keys, crypto wallets, or exchange logins, your heirs may never recover the funds. Unlike a lost checkbook, there’s no bank manager to call for help.
That means if you pass away without leaving clear instructions, your digital wealth could disappear forever.
Online Accounts with Real Value
It’s not just crypto and NFTs—other accounts can also hold financial or sentimental value:
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PayPal, Venmo, or CashApp balances
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Domain names or blogs
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Social media accounts that generate income
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Online storefronts like Etsy, Amazon, or Shopify
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Photo and video storage services
Some of these may be tied directly to your estate’s finances, while others hold priceless memories.
The Legal Side in Illinois
Illinois follows the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), which allows executors or trustees to manage digital property—but only if your estate plan gives them authority. Simply writing down your passwords isn’t enough. Companies like Facebook or Google may block access without proper documentation.
Who Actually Inherits?
Without a plan, digital assets follow the same path as the rest of your estate under Illinois probate law. But here’s the issue: without passwords, keys, or legal authority, your heirs may never claim them. That’s why estate planning for digital assets is essential.
Steps You Can Take Today
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Make a list of your digital assets.
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Assign a “digital executor” in your will or trust.
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Store passwords securely (password manager, encrypted vault).
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Work with an estate planning attorney who can add digital asset provisions to your plan.
Protect Your Digital Legacy
Your crypto, online businesses, and digital accounts are part of your wealth. Don’t let them vanish into cyberspace—make sure they’re included in your estate plan.
👉 Ready to secure your digital legacy? Contact our Libertyville estate planning attorney today for guidance.
This article is intended to serve as a general summary of the issues outlined therein. While this article may include general guidance, it is not intended as, nor is a substitute for, qualified legal advice. Your review or receipt of this article by Lexern Law Offices, Ltd. (the “LLG”) or any of its attorneys does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the LLG. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors of the article and do not reflect the opinion of the LLG. Please note that this article may have been generated using AI technology.
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