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By Rozanne Heystek-Potgieter, CFP® *
The laws that govern the fundamentals of a valid will has not changed since 1953, but the landscape in which estate planning and will drafting is done now, has gone through massive changes. Your executor is now responsible for far more than just ensuring your assets are distributed according to your will. One aspect that has ever increasingly become pertinent to how we draft wills and educate our clients on how to prepare for each possible scenario, is digital assets and digital legacy planning.
What are digital assets? Anything from social media accounts, cloud storage and associated digital files, crypto accounts, personal webpages, YouTube channel content, banking profiles, digital vaults to email accounts. We use the term asset rather loosely as it infers value, but that might not always necessarily be the case – in some scenarios the value is merely sentimental at best.
Digital estate planning addresses the question as to will your loved ones be able to access your personal and financial digital profiles on your passing? Even with a will in place, being locked out of digital assets suddenly could cause undue distress, especially if they are linked to the payment of monthly expenses, or access to liquidity is urgently required.
Here are some general pointers that we have put together to help you plan better:
1. Secure your important documents
Start by keeping key documents in a safe place, like a fireproof safe or cabinet.
These should include your identity documents (such as passports and ID cards), marriage or divorce certificates, title deeds for property, and investment details. If you are the surviving spouse, keep a copy of your predeceased spouse’s death certificate and the documents relating to their estate.
2. Passwords and PINs
Make sure you have a clear list of all your important usernames, passwords, and PINs, including those for your phone, computer, bank accounts, and email.
Keep this list updated and stored in a secure location. If you store it on your computer, make sure someone can unlock your device. A trusted person should always have access to this information as well as know of its location. This information is not to be included in the will itself, as the will becomes a public document when an estate is reported. You can add instructions in the will or a codicil in terms of the distribution of any of the digital assets.
3. Social media and digital accounts
Facebook allows for the removal or memorialization of accounts on someone’s passing, not only to secure the account from future logins but allow for the profile to be used as a space for all to continue sharing memories of the person who has passed away.
There is an option to activate your Digital Legacy on your Apple iCloud account, where you can choose to add contacts to access and download certain data after your passing.
Take a moment to review the options for your social media profiles or cloud accounts to ensure your wishes are followed. Whether you want your accounts memorialised or closed, it is essential to leave clear instructions with your family or in your will.
4. Financial documents
Compile details on investments, insurance policies (especially life insurance and funeral cover), and cryptocurrency. Sharing details on cryptocurrency is often overlooked, but it is taxed the same as other assets in your estate, without the information the Executor will not be able to recover this asset without the proper keys or passwords.
As with getting a will in place with a named Executor, preparing your life file and ensuring your digital legacy is accounted for takes effort, planning ahead and a bit of common sense. Too often, families are left struggling to access even the most basic of information because a certain aspect of their estate plan was not implemented.
* Rozanne Heystek-Potgieter CFP ® professional, and a Fiduciary services specialist (non-practising attorney) at Brenthurst Wealth Val de Vie
Read more about National Wills Week (16 to 20 September 2024) here: LSSA.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Esmarelda Isaacs-Andreas joined the Brenthurst Wealth Stellenbosch office in October 2025, taking on the dual role of Receptionist and Fiduciary Administrator.
Angelique Anderson joins our Pretoria office as an Administrative Assistant, bringing over 24 years of experience across the financial, legal, and executive support sectors, both locally and internationally. Her meticulous attention to detail, discretion, and extensive knowledge of asset finance and compliance make her an invaluable addition to our team.
Ashley joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2025 as Office Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the Stellenbosch Office.
Michelle joined the Brenthurst Wealth Team in 2025 as a paraplanner assisting Iniel Van Zyl and Leslie Greyling in our Fourways office.
René Heystek joined Brenthurst Wealth in November 2023, as receptionist and administrative assistant in the newly established George/Garden Route office.
Michelle Heystek has built a career in the financial services over the last two decades, after obtaining her B.Com degree in Financial Management in 2005. Once she joined Brenthurst in 2006, she continued her academic journey, obtaining her Certificate in Wealth Management from INSETA in 2007, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. In 2008, she earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Anelle joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Brian Butchart in the Cape Town office in December 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge from working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients at TMA and Absa Investment Management Services (Aims) since 1998. She obtained her B. com degree from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1997.
Sanet was appointed in April 2020, joining our Cape Town team as an Executive Administration Assistant to Renee Eagar. She has been in the financial services industry since 1990. Her previous experience includes positions at Sanlam, BJM and ABSA. She spent her last 12 years working at Alexander Forbes Private Client Wealth as a Senior Wealth Management Assistant. She has received numerous accolades over the years which include but not limited to, Alexander Forbes Client Service Excellence – Silver award in 2014,2015 and 2017. Sanet has also obtained her Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) in 2012 and achieved “Best Student of the Year” from Moonstone.
Maria Smit is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry.
