The digital will

A private will has to be written entirely by hand and signed. A printed, typed, emailed or app-stored will does not meet that form — not even with a digital signature. The alternative is a notarised will.

Erbnis is not a will and does not replace one. It stores a copy, records where the original is kept, and guides you through preparing it.

Belongs in the will:

• Appointment of heirs, legacies, shares of the estate
• Execution of the will, including for the digital side
• A pointer to where access details and instructions are kept (without naming passwords)

Does not belong in the will:

• Passwords, PINs, seed phrases and recovery codes
• Complete account lists with credentials
• Anything that changes often — a will is not rewritten every month

Important: after death, the will can be inspected by the parties involved. Whatever it contains is no longer a secret.

For access to online accounts, a power of attorney is usually more practical than inheritance: it takes effect immediately, without a certificate of inheritance. The common instruments are a precautionary power of attorney for incapacity and a transmortal power of attorney that remains valid beyond death. Both should be in writing, dated and signed, and should mention the digital sphere explicitly.

• A handwritten or notarised will for succession
• A transmortal power of attorney for quick account access
• A secure place for credentials and wishes, kept up to date
• One sentence in the will pointing at that place
• Keep the original with the probate court or notary, a copy with a trusted person

This article explains the legal position in general terms and is not legal advice. For your own situation, a notary or a lawyer specialising in inheritance law is the right address.