Digital Estate Planning in Canada
A digital estate plan helps trusted people find your accounts, understand your wishes and take appropriate next steps—without putting passwords in an unsafe document.
What digital estate planning means
Digital estate planning is the practical work of identifying digital accounts, devices and records, documenting what you would like to happen, and helping an authorized representative find the right process. It complements—not replaces—your legal and financial planning.
Common digital asset categories
Start with primary and recovery email, cloud storage, photos, social media, subscriptions, loyalty programs, domains, websites, online businesses, financial portals, devices, backups, creative work and digital assets. Record the provider, owner, purpose, importance and intended outcome.
Why a will may not contain enough operational detail
A will can establish legal intentions and appointments, but it may not be the right place for an account list that changes frequently. A separate, securely stored inventory can give an executor or estate trustee practical detail while the will and other legal documents establish authority.
An inventory is not password storage
Record what exists and where authorized access arrangements can be found. Keep passwords, recovery codes, device PINs and wallet seed phrases in purpose-built secure storage. A password alone does not establish legal authority to use an account.
Provider-native legacy tools
Some platforms offer legacy contacts, inactive-account settings, data export or memorialization choices. Configure these directly with the provider where available, then note the setting in your plan. Apple, Google, Meta and other providers have different processes that can change over time.
Trusted contacts and estate representatives
Identify the executor or estate trustee named in your documents, anyone acting under a power of attorney, a technical helper and the professionals who advise you. Discuss the plan with them and make sure each person understands the limits of their role.
Devices, photos, subscriptions and online businesses
For devices, record ownership and location without copying unlock codes. For photos and cloud archives, identify what should be preserved. Note subscriptions that may need cancellation, domains that require renewal, and business systems that need continuity or an orderly transition.
Review regularly
Review the plan annually and after a move, relationship change, new business, new device, change of representative or major account change. Confirm provider settings and remove obsolete information.
What ProsperitySafe currently provides
ProsperitySafe currently offers Canadian-focused educational resources, a planning checklist, product research and a planning-information inquiry form.
What ProsperitySafe does not currently provide
The current site does not create customer accounts, store estate files, access devices, contact providers, process payments, accept death documentation, act as an executor or provide legal advice.
General information, not legal advice
Provincial law, legal documents and provider contracts can affect what an authorized person may do. Use these resources as a starting point and obtain advice from qualified Canadian legal, tax, financial and security professionals for your circumstances.
Continue your planning
Use our digital estate checklist, learn how to create a digital account inventory, or read about the role of a digital executor in Canada.
Get planning information
Tell us what you are planning for and we will share relevant information as the service develops. Do not submit passwords, legal documents or other sensitive records.
Start Planning