Gift planners are often called upon to do more than raise money. While many do not offer legal advice, they help encourage donors to make sure their wishes—charitable or otherwise—are protected. Basic estate planning principals are often part of a gift planner’s toolbox. If your donor communications haven’t been updated recently, you may be missing an important set of assets: digital.

When most people think of estate plans, they think of wills and trusts to make arrangements for property to pass to others. They think of physical things like cash, homes, special antique jewelry, etc. Over the last few decades, digital assets have become part of that property.

I have had a role in the settlement of three separate estates after the deaths of my in-laws and the unexpected death of a friend. One of the biggest obstacles I faced, which could have easily been avoided, was not having an inventory of and access to the decedent’s digital footprint.

Accessing online accounts can be impossible for heirs without a comprehensive list of those accounts, usernames and passwords and clear plans for handling those accounts after death.

What are digital assets?

Digital assets include anything that must be accessed online or in the cloud: payment apps like PayPal and Venmo, streaming services, digital books or music, cryptocurrency, etc. In addition, there are online platforms and sites used to access physical assets, such as your online bank account. Some of these might be things you use every day; many of them were set up years ago and forgotten. And many of these accounts and apps link directly to your bank account or credit card.

• That fast-food restaurant’s app you just downloaded five years ago.
• Your home goods store rewards program that you’ve only accessed online once.
• A coffee shop card that offers you free drinks after signing up for notifications.
• An online software program you set up just for a free trial but had to add your credit card number.
• Photos you have stored on your phone or computer.

The Elder Law Advocacy organization in California has a good guide for what might be included in your digital assets list.

These assets are complicated due to a number of factors:

• Ever-expanding digital footprints (new streaming services, apps, etc.).
• Evolving laws and regulations and lack of consistent oversight.
• Accounts created for special rewards but never used.
• Terms and conditions specific to the account.
• Regularly changing passwords (which you should do for security reasons).

Luckily, many of the same steps you take when creating a general estate plan can be applied to creating a digital estate plan.

• Make a comprehensive list of your digital assets and add to it every time you create a username and password for anything. Store it securely (not on the cloud).
• Update the list every time you change a password.
• Inform your heirs or executors of these accounts and how to access the list.
• Include your digital assets in your will.
• Designate a digital estate executor.
• Be specific in granting permission to your digital accounts.

As a gift planner, you are in a position to remind your donors to have a complete and clear estate plan that includes ensuring their legacy is protected. In the world we live in, digital assets are very much a part of that.