Create a Digital Account Legacy and Recovery Inventory
A private account inventory can reduce confusion for trusted people in an emergency.
The aim is to help you complete one clear task, recognize what needs verification, and avoid the most common mistakes. Work through the checks in order, then use the real-world example to apply them to your situation.
This guide is designed as a practical decision checklist. Use the relevant official guidance alongside the steps, especially when rules depend on your country, device or individual circumstances.
1. List important services without passwords
Identify banking, email, cloud storage, social media, subscription and domain accounts. Record the provider, purpose and an appropriate trusted contact. Do not create one unsecured spreadsheet containing every password.
2. Use official legacy tools
Some platforms offer legacy contacts or inactive account settings. Follow their current official setup instructions and confirm what information the nominated person can access and under what conditions.
3. Prepare lawful instructions
Think about documents, online businesses and paid services that might need attention. Estate, privacy and access laws vary by jurisdiction; qualified advice is important for high-value assets or disputed authority.
4. Store and refresh securely
Protect instructions offline or in an appropriate secure vault, and tell one trusted person how to find them when authorized. Review the inventory when you change devices, domains or primary email accounts.
Verify the source before acting
For the definitions, current capabilities or rules behind this topic, use the original source below. Features, eligibility, safety requirements and local laws can change. A guide cannot replace a provider's official instructions or qualified advice for a consequential decision.