When you die, your social media accounts face an uncertain future. Most platforms delete inactive accounts or lock them away from grieving families forever.
At Securator Legal, we help Australian families protect their digital legacy before it’s too late. Our succession law experts see the heartbreak when precious memories disappear because there was no digital estate planning.
What’s the perk of involving professionals like us? Well, you can keep your family away from this struggle. You don’t need to leave them locked out of your social media accounts, photos, and digital assets.
In this guide, we’ll explain why families lose digital memories and what assets need protection. We’ll also show you how to set up digital legacy planning in Australia and cover the legal requirements.
Let’s protect your digital footprint today.
Why Australian Families Lose Digital Memories Forever?
Australian families lose digital memories because they can’t access password-protected accounts and devices after someone dies. It’s devastating, and we see it happen all the time.
Here’s what typically goes wrong. Password-protected devices lock families out of thousands of irreplaceable photos stored on smartphones and computers. When someone dies suddenly, their iPhone or laptop becomes a digital vault that nobody can open.
The problem gets worse with social media platforms. Major platforms like Facebook and Instagram delete deceased users’ accounts after extended periods of inactivity. We’ve watched heartbroken families lose decades of precious moments because they didn’t know memorial options existed.
Then there’s the legal maze families face. Just like banks won’t give you access to physical accounts without proper documentation, online platforms follow the same strict rules. Even immediate family members need to provide a death certificate and go through lengthy verification processes.
The cruel irony is still here. These platforms protect user privacy so fiercely that they’d rather delete everything than risk giving access to the wrong person. Thus, your entire digital legacy vanishes, which results in taking irreplaceable memories with it.
Don’t worry, though, this heartbreak is completely preventable with proper planning. Let’s look at the digital assets you need to protect in your estate plan.
What Digital Assets Need Protection in Your Estate Plan
Your digital assets include social media accounts, financial platforms, cloud storage, and business websites that need specific protection in your estate plan. You probably have more digital wealth than you realise.
Let’s break this down into three main categories that cover everything you own online.
Social Media and Personal Accounts
Your social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter accounts, etc.) hold years of irreplaceable family moments. These accounts contain photos, videos, and conversations that tell your life story. Beyond memories, the platforms also store contact lists of friends and family members your loved ones might want to reach.
Don’t forget about messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger. They often contain the most personal conversations and recent photos that aren’t stored anywhere else.
Financial and Business Digital Assets
Your online banking and investment platforms need immediate attention in your estate plan. Platforms like PayPal, Stripe, and cryptocurrency wallets can hold significant money that executors need to access quickly. Without proper planning, this money often stays locked away from families who need it most.
If you’re a business owner, the stakes get even higher. Your company websites, domain names, and professional LinkedIn profiles often have substantial monetary value. In fact, online businesses sometimes hold digital assets that exceed the value of physical property.
Cloud Storage and Digital Files
Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud store your most important documents and photos. Without proper planning, these accounts lock automatically when platforms detect inactivity. This means your family loses access to tax documents, insurance papers, and decades of family photos stored in the cloud.
Now that you know what needs protection, let’s walk through the practical steps to set up your digital legacy planning in Australia.
How to Set Up Digital Legacy Planning in Australia
Digital estate planning is the fastest way to give your family immediate access to everything they need. You don’t need complicated legal processes to get started.
Here’s what you need to do to protect your digital legacy:
Step 1: Create Your Digital Asset Inventory
- List all your social media accounts, email addresses, and online banking platforms
- Include streaming services, shopping accounts, and cryptocurrency wallets
- Don’t forget business websites, domain names, and professional profiles
- Update this list every six months as you open new accounts
Step 2: Set Up Secure Password Management
- Use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass with legacy features
- Designate a trusted family member as your emergency contact
- This gives them immediate access to all your digital accounts without legal delays
Step 3: Configure Platform-Specific Legacy Settings
- Set up Apple Legacy Contact for your iPhone and iCloud data
- Enable Google Inactive Account Manager for Gmail and Drive
- Choose Facebook legacy contact options for memorial or deletion preferences
- Most major platforms now offer these built-in legacy features
Step 4: Document Your Wishes Clearly
- Write specific instructions for each account: delete, memorialise, transfer, or maintain
- Include login credentials in your secure password manager, not your will
- Tell your digital executor where to find these instructions
The main purpose is simple: ensuring your loved ones know what you want and how to access everything. While these steps get you started, you’ll also need to understand the legal side of digital inheritance.
Start Planning Your Digital Legacy Now
Your digital assets deserve the same protection as your physical property. Don’t leave your family struggling to access precious memories and valuable accounts when you’re gone.
At Securator Legal, we help families handle these situations. We specialise in Australian digital estate planning with innovative AI-enhanced document generation and fixed-fee services. We make the legal side simple so you can focus on protecting your loved ones.
Book your free consultation today and secure your digital legacy before it’s too late.