A social media will is not a legal document, despite the name. It is a simple record of what you would like to happen to your online accounts when you die: which to close, which to memorialise, who should handle them, and what to do with the photos and posts. It takes ten minutes and saves your family from guessing at a hard time. Here is what to put in it, with a free template to start from.
What a social media will covers
Think of it as instructions for your digital estate. For each account that matters, note:
- The platform and the username or email tied to it.
- What you would like done: close it, memorialise it or hand it to someone.
- Who should carry out your wishes, your digital executor.
- Anything to preserve, especially photos, videos or messages.
You do not record passwords in it. Those live in a password manager; the social media will points to your wishes, not your logins.
How it works alongside your legal will
A social media will sits beside your legal will rather than replacing it. Your legal will deals with your estate and can refer to your digital assets, which is worth doing for anything of real value. The social media will handles the practical detail and the sentimental wishes that a formal will is not the place for. Together they cover both the legal and the human side. If you have not made a legal will yet, our making a will guide is a good next step.
Set up the platform tools too
A social media will works best alongside the legacy tools the platforms provide: Apple’s Legacy Contact, Google’s Inactive Account Manager and Facebook’s legacy contact. The will records your wishes; the tools give your chosen person the means to act on them. Our digital legacy planning guide covers both.
Keep it findable and up to date
Store your social media will somewhere secure and reachable by the person who will act on it, and update it when your accounts change. FamilySafe keeps it alongside the rest of your affairs, shared on your terms, so it is there when it is needed.
Download the free template and fill it in this week.
Frequently asked questions
Is a social media will legally binding?
No. It is a statement of your wishes, not a legal document. For legal weight, refer to your digital assets in your proper will, which a solicitor can help word.
Do I put my passwords in it?
No. Keep passwords in a password manager. The social media will records what you want done with each account, not how to log in.
Who should hold it?
Your digital executor or another trusted person, who should know it exists and where to find it. Storing it securely and telling them is what makes it useful.
