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Digital Legacy Instructions Template

A free, printable template for documenting your digital legacy instructions. Fill it out, store it safely, and give your family the information they need.

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Digital Legacy Instructions

12-page fillable PDF with checklists, forms, and instructions. Print it, fill it out, and store it somewhere your family can find it.

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What's Included

The template covers everything your family needs to access your digital life. Each section includes clear instructions and space to document your information.

Master Access Information

Instructions for accessing your password manager, email accounts, and phone/computer

Account Inventory

Categorized list of accounts: financial, social, subscriptions, and more

Security & Recovery

2FA recovery codes, security questions, backup access methods

Important Contacts

Attorney, financial advisor, employer HR, insurance agents

Legal Documents

Location of will, trusts, powers of attorney, and other documents

Instructions & Wishes

What to close, what to preserve, messages for family

How to Use This Template

1

Download and fill out

Print the PDF or fill it out digitally. Take your time—it's okay to complete it over several sessions.

2

Store it securely

Keep the completed document somewhere your family can find it: a fireproof safe, with your attorney, or in a safe deposit box.

3

Tell someone it exists

The best document in the world is useless if nobody knows about it. Tell your executor or trusted family member where to find it.

4

Update it periodically

Review and update at least annually, or when you open new accounts, change passwords, or make significant life changes.

Security considerations

  • Don't store this digitally in an unsecured location. This document contains sensitive information. Encrypt it if storing digitally.
  • Consider what you write down. You may want to document “how to access my password manager” rather than individual passwords.
  • Keep it accessible but not too accessible. Your family needs to find it, but you don't want unauthorized access. A fireproof safe with a known combination is a good balance.
  • This is not a legal document. This template helps organize information but does not replace a will, trust, or other legal documents. Consult an attorney for legal matters.

Template Preview

DIGITAL LEGACY INSTRUCTIONS

Prepared by: __________________ Date: __________

SECTION 1: MASTER ACCESS

How to access my primary accounts and devices

Password Manager: ________________

Master Password Location: ________________

Phone PIN: ________________

Computer Password: ________________

SECTION 2: EMAIL ACCOUNTS

Primary email is key to recovering other accounts

Primary Email: ________________

Recovery Email: ________________

2FA Recovery: ________________

... continued (12 pages total) ...

Why Use a Paper Template?

In an age of digital solutions, a paper document has distinct advantages for legacy planning:

No service dependency

Paper doesn't require an account, subscription, or working servers. It just exists.

Works without power

In an emergency, paper is accessible when phones are dead and internet is down.

Universally accessible

Anyone can read a paper document. No technical knowledge required.

Tactile and findable

A physical document can be stored somewhere obvious. 'Look in the safe' is simpler than 'log into this service.'

That said, paper has limitations: it gets outdated, can be lost, and offers all-or-nothing access. For a more dynamic solution, consider a digital service alongside your paper backup.

Want a Digital Solution That Updates Itself?

This template is a great starting point, but keeping a paper document current is challenging. EstateHelm is your household's brain—track properties, vehicles, pets, documents, subscriptions, and more in daily use. When something happens, your family already has what they need.

  • Zero-knowledge encryption: Only you and your beneficiaries can see your data
  • Continuity Capsule: Offline backup that works forever, even if EstateHelm disappears
  • 27+ categories: Properties, vehicles, pets, passwords, documents, subscriptions, and more

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