Managing Digital Legacy: Email, Social Media, and Online Accounts After Death in NC
When someone dies, their digital life does not disappear with them. Email accounts continue receiving messages. Social media profiles remain active. Online subscriptions keep charging. Cloud storage holds irreplaceable photos and documents. Cryptocurrency wallets may contain significant value. And the executor is responsible for all of it.
Managing a deceased person’s digital accounts is one of the newest challenges in estate administration, and it is one that most executors feel completely unprepared for. The rules are different for every platform, the laws are still catching up, and the emotional weight of scrolling through a loved one’s digital life adds another layer of difficulty to an already painful process.
This guide covers everything a North Carolina executor needs to know about handling digital accounts after death: the legal framework, platform-specific policies, practical steps, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Afterpath helps North Carolina executors manage every aspect of estate administration, including the increasingly complex world of digital assets. Our Pathfinder AI guide provides platform-specific instructions, our task management system tracks each digital account through its resolution, and our NC Compliance Engine ensures you follow state law on fiduciary access to digital assets. Digital legacy management should not require a computer science degree.
The Legal Framework: NC Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act
North Carolina adopted the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) in 2016 (NC G.S. 28A-29). This law governs an executor’s right to access and manage a deceased person’s digital accounts. Understanding it is essential before you contact any platform.
What RUFADAA Covers
The law distinguishes between two types of digital content:
Digital assets: The actual content stored in online accounts – emails, photos, documents, social media posts, and files. These are treated like personal property of the estate.
Catalogue of electronic communications: The metadata – who sent an email, when, to whom – without the actual content.
The Hierarchy of Authority
RUFADAA establishes a priority system for determining who can access digital accounts:
- The user’s online tool designations take top priority. If the deceased used a platform’s built-in legacy tool (like Google Inactive Account Manager or Facebook Legacy Contact), those instructions control.
- The user’s will or trust comes second. If the will specifically addresses digital assets and grants the executor access, that instruction controls.
- The platform’s terms of service come third. If neither an online tool nor a will addresses the account, the platform’s terms of service determine what the executor can access.
What This Means Practically
If the deceased did not use any platform legacy tools and their will does not mention digital assets, you will be limited to what each platform’s terms of service allow. In many cases, this means you can request account deletion or memorialization but cannot access the actual content of emails or messages.
This is why estate planning attorneys increasingly recommend including specific digital asset provisions in wills. But if you are reading this guide, the person has already passed, and you are working with whatever planning they did or did not do.
Step 1: Create a Digital Account Inventory
Before contacting any platform, take inventory of the deceased’s digital presence. You cannot manage what you do not know about.
Where to Look
On their devices:
- Check their phone, tablet, and computer for installed apps and saved bookmarks
- Look at the browser’s saved passwords (most browsers store these in settings)
- Check for a password manager app (1Password, LastPass, Bitwarden, Dashlane, or the built-in Apple Keychain / Google Password Manager)
- Review their email inbox for account confirmation emails, newsletters, and billing notices
In their records:
- Look for written password lists (many people keep them on paper, in a desk drawer, or in a safe)
- Check for a digital estate plan or a list of accounts left with an attorney
- Review bank and credit card statements for recurring charges from online services
Through their email:
- If you have access to their primary email account, search for terms like “welcome,” “confirm your account,” “subscription,” “your account,” and “password reset” to identify accounts they created
What to Record
For each account you find, document:
- Platform or service name
- Username or email address used
- Whether you have the password or login credentials
- Account type (email, social media, financial, shopping, subscription, cloud storage)
- Whether the account has monetary value (cryptocurrency, PayPal balances, digital purchases)
- Whether the account has sentimental value (photos, messages, documents)
- Action needed (memorialize, delete, close, transfer funds)
This inventory becomes your working document for resolving each account. For guidance on digital assets with financial value, see our detailed guide on digital assets and cryptocurrency in probate.
Step 2: Secure Accounts With Financial Value
Before handling social media and email, prioritize accounts that hold money or financial information.
Bank and Financial Accounts
Online banking, investment platforms (Robinhood, Fidelity, Vanguard), and payment services (PayPal, Venmo, Zelle) need to be secured immediately. Contact each institution, provide your Letters Testamentary and a death certificate, and follow their process for estate access. These are covered in detail in our guide on closing bank accounts after death in NC.
Cryptocurrency
If the deceased held cryptocurrency, this is urgent. Unlike traditional financial accounts, cryptocurrency is not held by any institution – it exists on a blockchain and is accessed only through private keys or seed phrases. If you cannot find the private keys, the cryptocurrency may be permanently inaccessible.
Look for:
- Hardware wallets (Ledger, Trezor – small USB-like devices)
- Software wallets on their phone or computer
- Exchange accounts (Coinbase, Kraken, Binance)
- Written seed phrases (a series of 12 or 24 words, often stored on paper or metal)
Do not attempt to transfer cryptocurrency without understanding the process. One wrong transaction can permanently lose the funds. Consult a professional if significant value is involved.
Shopping Accounts With Stored Payment
Amazon, eBay, and other e-commerce accounts may have stored credit card information, gift card balances, or pending refunds. Change passwords to prevent unauthorized use, then close accounts or remove payment methods.
Step 3: Handle Email Accounts
Email is often the most important digital account because it serves as the key to everything else. Password resets for nearly every online service go through email. If you can access the deceased’s primary email, you can discover and manage most of their other accounts.
Google / Gmail
Google offers the Inactive Account Manager, which lets users designate what happens to their account after a period of inactivity. If the deceased set this up, follow whatever instructions they left.
If they did not, Google provides a process for requesting access to or deletion of a deceased person’s account:
- Submit a request through Google’s support page for deceased users
- You will need to provide: a death certificate, your government ID, proof of your relationship to the deceased (Letters Testamentary work), and possibly the deceased’s email address and the content of an email they sent you (to verify you had a relationship)
- Google reviews each request individually. They may grant limited access, provide a data export, or deny the request based on privacy considerations
- Processing can take several months
Important: Google will not give you the password to log in. If they approve access, they provide a data download of the account contents.
Apple (iCloud Mail)
Apple’s Digital Legacy program allows users to designate Legacy Contacts who can access their account after death. If a Legacy Contact was designated, they can request access through Apple’s process.
If no Legacy Contact was designated:
- You can request access through Apple’s Digital Legacy process with a court order specifically granting access to the Apple account
- A standard Letters Testamentary is not sufficient – Apple requires a court order that specifically names Apple and the deceased’s Apple ID
- The court order must be issued by a U.S. court with jurisdiction
Apple’s process is one of the more restrictive among major platforms. If the deceased’s devices are unlocked or you know the device passcode, you can access data stored locally on the device without going through Apple’s formal process.
Microsoft (Outlook, Hotmail)
Microsoft allows next of kin to request access to a deceased person’s account. You will need:
- A death certificate
- Proof that you are the executor or next of kin
- The deceased’s email address
Microsoft may provide a data export of the account contents. They do not provide login credentials.
Yahoo
Yahoo allows account closure for deceased users but does not provide access to account contents. Submit a request with a death certificate and proof of authority. The account will be permanently deleted.
General Email Best Practices
Regardless of the platform:
- Do not delete email accounts immediately. Incoming emails may contain important financial, legal, or insurance information for months after death.
- Set up forwarding if possible. Some email services allow you to forward incoming mail to your own address, which lets you monitor for important communications.
- Check for auto-pay notifications. The email inbox will reveal recurring charges that need to be canceled.
- Look for digital receipts. Email receipts may reveal assets you did not know about (online purchases, investments, subscriptions).
Step 4: Manage Social Media Accounts
Social media accounts carry emotional weight that financial accounts do not. Family members and friends may have strong opinions about whether to memorialize or delete these profiles. Consider discussing this with the family before taking action.
Facebook / Meta
Facebook offers two options:
Memorialization: The profile is preserved with a “Remembering” label next to the name. Friends can still post tributes. If the deceased designated a Legacy Contact, that person can manage certain aspects of the memorialized profile (pin posts, respond to friend requests, update the profile photo). To request memorialization, submit Facebook’s memorialization request form with proof of death.
Deletion: You can request permanent deletion of the account. Submit a Special Request form with a death certificate and proof of authority. Facebook will permanently remove the profile and all associated content.
Important: Once an account is memorialized, it cannot be logged into, even by the Legacy Contact. If you need to access messages or photos before memorialization, do so first.
Instagram (owned by Meta) offers memorialization or removal, similar to Facebook. Submit a request through Instagram’s help center with a death certificate.
X (formerly Twitter)
X allows immediate family members or estate executors to request account deactivation. Submit a request through their help center with a death certificate and proof of relationship. X does not offer memorialization – the account is either active or deactivated.
LinkedIn allows verified family members or executors to request profile removal. Submit a request through LinkedIn’s help center. They may ask for a death certificate and proof of authority. LinkedIn does not offer memorialization.
TikTok
TikTok allows executors or immediate family to request account deletion. Submit a report through TikTok’s help center with relevant documentation. Like LinkedIn, TikTok does not currently offer a memorialization option.
YouTube
YouTube accounts are tied to Google accounts. Follow the Google process described above. If memorializing, be aware that any monetized content (ad revenue) may need to be addressed separately.
Step 5: Cancel Subscriptions and Recurring Charges
The deceased likely had numerous subscriptions and recurring charges tied to their online accounts. Each one that continues after death is money leaving the estate unnecessarily.
Common Subscriptions to Cancel
- Streaming services: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Prime
- Software subscriptions: Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, antivirus software
- News and media: Digital newspaper subscriptions, Substack, Patreon
- Cloud storage: Google One, iCloud+, Dropbox, OneDrive
- Fitness and wellness: Gym memberships, fitness app subscriptions, meditation apps
- Meal and delivery services: DoorDash, Uber Eats, meal kit services
- Dating and social apps: Any premium memberships
- Gaming: Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, Steam purchases
How to Find and Cancel
- Check bank and credit card statements for recurring charges
- Search the email inbox for “subscription,” “renewal,” “payment received,” and “billing”
- Check the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for active subscriptions (accessible through the device’s account settings)
- Contact each service to cancel. Most accept a death certificate and proof of authority to terminate without penalties
Request Refunds Where Possible
If the deceased prepaid for annual subscriptions or if charges continued after death, request prorated refunds. Many services will issue refunds for the unused portion once they receive proof of death.
Step 6: Preserve Digital Memories
Before closing or deleting accounts, consider whether the deceased’s digital content has sentimental value to the family.
Photos and Videos
- Download photo libraries from Google Photos, iCloud, Amazon Photos, and social media accounts before closing them
- Check cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) for photo and video folders
- Save social media posts and photos if family members want to preserve them. Facebook offers a “Download Your Information” tool; Instagram allows you to request a data download
Messages and Communications
- Save meaningful conversations from email, text messages, and social media direct messages if family members request it
- Be sensitive to privacy. The deceased may have had private conversations they would not have wanted shared. Use judgment about what to preserve and what to let go.
Documents
- Download important documents from cloud storage: tax returns, legal documents, financial records, insurance policies
- Check for documents in email attachments that may be relevant to estate administration
Step 7: Manage Domain Names and Websites
If the deceased owned domain names or personal websites, these are estate assets.
- Domain names registered through services like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains need to be transferred to the estate or a beneficiary, or allowed to expire
- Hosting accounts (Bluehost, SiteGround, WordPress.com) should be canceled if the website is not needed
- Valuable domains may have resale value and should be included in the estate inventory
Password Access: Legal and Ethical Considerations
One of the most common questions executors ask is: “Can I just log into their accounts if I know the password?”
The Legal Answer
Under North Carolina’s RUFADAA, the answer depends on the circumstances. If the deceased’s will specifically grants you access to digital assets, and the terms of service do not prohibit it, you generally have legal authority to access the accounts. However, federal law – specifically the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and the Stored Communications Act (SCA) – adds complexity. These federal laws were written to prevent unauthorized computer access and may technically apply even to estate situations.
The safest approach is to use each platform’s official deceased-user process rather than logging in directly. This creates a documented trail and avoids any legal gray areas.
The Practical Reality
Many executors do access accounts using known passwords, especially for non-sensitive accounts like streaming services and shopping accounts. If you do this, document what you accessed and why, and limit your access to what is necessary for estate administration.
For sensitive accounts – email, financial accounts, social media with private messages – use the official process whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to resolve all digital accounts?
Plan for this to take several months. Some platforms respond quickly (a few days to a couple of weeks), while others (Google, Apple) can take months to process requests. Start early and work through accounts in parallel rather than sequentially.
What if I cannot find the deceased’s passwords?
Use each platform’s deceased-user process. You do not need passwords to request memorialization, deletion, or account closure through official channels. For financial accounts, the institution will verify your authority through Letters Testamentary and death certificates.
Can I access the deceased’s phone or computer?
If you know the device passcode or password, you can access the device itself. Data stored locally on the device (photos, contacts, documents) is accessible this way. Cloud-synced data may require separate platform requests. If the device is locked and you do not know the passcode, options vary – Apple devices are particularly difficult to unlock without the passcode.
What about accounts I never find?
Accounts you do not know about will eventually become inactive. Most platforms have inactivity policies that delete accounts after extended periods (12 to 36 months of inactivity, depending on the platform). Financial accounts with unclaimed balances are eventually turned over to the state as unclaimed property.
Should I include digital assets in the estate inventory?
Yes, to the extent they have financial value. Cryptocurrency, PayPal balances, domain names, and digital media with resale value (rare digital art or NFTs, for example) should be included in the estate inventory filed with the court. Social media accounts and email accounts generally do not have monetary value and do not need to be included in the formal inventory, but they should appear on your working account list.
Related Resources
- Digital Assets and Cryptocurrency in Probate – Detailed guide on handling digital assets with financial value
- Complete Guide to Probate in North Carolina – Overview of the entire probate process
- How to Close Bank Accounts After Death in NC – Managing the deceased’s financial accounts
- NC Executor Duties Checklist – Full list of executor responsibilities
- How Many Death Certificates Do You Need? – Planning for documentation needs across platforms
Moving Forward
Managing a deceased person’s digital life is painstaking work, but it is increasingly one of the most important aspects of modern estate administration. The key is to start with a thorough inventory, prioritize accounts with financial value, use each platform’s official process, and preserve what matters to the family before closing accounts permanently.
Do not rush this process. Some accounts will take months to resolve, and that is normal. Work through your list systematically, document everything, and ask for help when you need it.
Dealing with estate settlement while grieving is one of life’s hardest challenges. You do not have to figure it out alone.
Afterpath was built for exactly this moment – to turn the overwhelming chaos of estate settlement into a clear path forward. Our AI guide Pathfinder is available 24/7 to answer your questions, our task system ensures nothing falls through the cracks, and our NC compliance engine makes sure you do everything right.
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