More Than a Will: Building a Digital Legacy Plan for Your Family

November 1, 2025 1 min read

Introduction
You’ve spent decades building your life, your work, your family and yes, your online presence. But estate planning today goes beyond paper — the “digital part” matters. Platforms like Inheritus offer U.S. retirees the opportunity to catalogue, organise and protect both physical and digital assets.

Why the “digital legacy” is now essential

  • Traditional wills often focus on physical property and bank accounts—but what about online accounts, cloud files, cryptocurrency, social media memories? Many assets live purely online. According to industry coverage, digital wills address passwords, online accounts and digital presence.
  • Legal recognition of digital assets varies among U.S. states; estate administrators often face hoops to gain access. The external article “Digital Will Explained” notes “varying legal recognition” and security risks.
  • Inheritus helps U.S. users organise the full estate: documents, assets, jurisdictions, and digital accounts. From their FAQs: “Our solution allows you to securely store and manage your critical documents … When an individual becomes incapacitated or passes away, our platform seamlessly transitions …”

What a comprehensive digital-legacy plan involves

  • Inventory everything: List physical property and digital accounts (e-mail, cloud storage, online investment/retirement accounts, social media, loyalty programs, crypto).
  • Document the instructions: Who should access what? When? Under what conditions?
  • Secure storage & select sharing: Use a platform that allows you to upload documents, define trusted contacts, schedule triggers (for death or incapacity). Inheritus offers these features.
  • Create timelines & tasks: Don’t leave it until the end. Use tools to remind you to update, and to ensure you’ve covered beneficiaries, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, digital-asset instructions.
  • Make sure executors/trusted contacts know: A plan is only useful if someone can find and act on it.

Why US members of Retirement Associations should act now

  • Many retirees find themselves juggling multiple accounts, properties and perhaps part-time work or consulting. Complexity increases need.
  • The risk of digital assets being “locked out” or forgotten is real. Industry coverage warns: “Without clear instructions, even your executor may not access your email or cloud files.”
  • The peace of mind is priceless: you’re proactively ensuring that your online life, legacy and assets get handled on your terms, not by default.


Don’t simply write a will—build a legacy plan. Visit Inheritus.com and start organising today. Invite your family, upload your documents, record your assets. Make your digital life as protected as your physical one.

Richard Sanders, CPA, CA, CBV is a seasoned professional and Partner at a leading global Accounting firm, bringing over 35 years of invaluable experience to the advisory board. With a background in Accounting & Finance, he has demonstrated a keen sense of the challenges to business management and growth throughout his career.

Having held key partnerships with several Accounting firms, Richard has a proven track record of success in advising businesses in areas ranging from Audit to Internal Controls, Tax and Valuations. His strategic thinking has been crucial in guiding organizations through periods of startup and growth.

As an advisory board member, Richard provides strategic counsel and invaluable insights on Audit, Finance and Accounting. His expertise and vision play a vital role in shaping the organization’s strategy and driving sustainable growth over the long term.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Accounting & Business Management from the University of Toronto. He continues to stay at the forefront of the Accounting industry’s developments through ongoing education and professional development initiatives.

Richard’s passion for success and his commitment to guiding businesses make him an invaluable asset to the advisory board.

Bob is a distinguished leader in Software M&A, bringing over 40 years of invaluable experience to the advisory board. With a background in the Canadian & US Information Technology sectors, he has demonstrated a keen understanding of the challenges driving business innovation and fostering growth throughout his career.

Having held prominent roles within the Fortune 500, Bob has a proven track record of success in supercharging business growth. His strategic acumen and forward-thinking approach have been instrumental in guiding organizations through periods of change and transformation.

As an advisory board member, Bob provides strategic counsel and invaluable insights on business development, partnerships and strategic alliances. His expertise and vision play a vital role in shaping the organization’s long-term strategy and driving sustainable growth.

Bob holds a BSc in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Ottawa. He continues to stay at the forefront of the Information Technology industry’s developments through ongoing education and professional development initiatives.

Bob’s passion for excellence and his unwavering commitment to the Software Industry make him an invaluable asset to the advisory board, driving the organization’s mission and vision forward with clarity and purpose.

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