# How to prepare your online life for your death

> Planning digital estates prevents heirs from losing access to online accounts after death.
- Title: How to prepare your online life for your death | Shortify
- Summary: Planning digital estates prevents heirs from losing access to online accounts after death. Older adults need to plan for digital estate access after death to…
- Keywords: online accounts, passwords, heirs, digital estate, two-factor authentication, estate planning, older adults, science, ideas, prepare, online, life
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/how-to-prepare-your-online-life-for-your-death-293502
- Author: Jenny Tang
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: online accounts, passwords, heirs, digital estate, two-factor authentication, estate planning, older adults, science, ideas
## Digital estate planning
Most older adults haven’t planned for what happens to their online accounts after death.
## Password management challenges
Older adults often write passwords on paper or store them digitally but struggle to keep them updated.
## Password managers help
Password managers can keep passwords up to date and accessible to heirs if set up correctly.
## Two-factor authentication blocks access
Heirs need keys like email or phone numbers to unlock accounts with two-factor authentication.
## Account closure risks
Unimportant accounts can still be used by hackers or cause ongoing charges after death.
## Digital estate instructions
Leaving clear instructions helps heirs close accounts and manage digital assets after death.
## Digital estate planning benefits
Planning ahead reduces stress for heirs and ensures digital accounts follow your wishes after death.
## Key takeaway

Older adults need to plan for digital estate access after death to avoid heirs losing passwords and accounts.