What is the difference between a traditional executor and a digital executor?

While a traditional executor manages physical assets like real estate and bank accounts, a digital executor is specifically designated to manage, archive, transfer, or delete your online accounts, digital intellectual property, and encrypted files — requiring both legal authority under RUFADAA and technical competence with digital platforms.

The distinction between traditional and digital executors is increasingly important as more of our lives and assets exist online. A traditional executor might be excellent at navigating probate court, selling real estate, and distributing bank funds — but completely lost when asked to access a deceased person's Google account, transfer cryptocurrency, or close social media profiles.

Use our Death Audit Checklist to identify which tasks require a digital-first executor.

Traditional executor responsibilities

A traditional executor (also called a personal representative) handles:

• Filing the will with the probate court • Notifying creditors and publishing death notices • Inventorying and appraising physical assets (real estate, vehicles, personal property) • Managing bank and investment accounts • Filing final income tax returns and estate tax returns • Paying outstanding debts and expenses • Distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries • Closing the estate through the court

These responsibilities require legal knowledge, financial acumen, and the ability to navigate court procedures — but minimal technical expertise.

A traditional executor is typically a spouse, adult child, attorney, or trust company. They're chosen for trustworthiness, organizational skills, and proximity to the deceased.

Digital executor responsibilities and qualifications

A digital executor handles:

• Accessing and archiving email accounts • Managing or memorializing social media profiles • Transferring or selling domain names • Accessing and transferring cryptocurrency wallets • Closing online subscriptions and recurring payments • Managing cloud storage accounts (photos, documents, backups) • Transferring digital intellectual property (code, content, digital art) • Canceling SaaS subscriptions and app store accounts • Accessing business online accounts if the deceased was a business owner • Ensuring data privacy (deleting sensitive personal data that shouldn't be public)

Qualifications for a digital executor: • Technical competence with computers, smartphones, and online platforms • Understanding of (or willingness to learn) basic cybersecurity practices • Ability to manage multiple online accounts systematically • Trustworthiness with sensitive personal data • Patience for dealing with platform customer support teams

Can the same person serve as both? Yes — and often they do. If your traditional executor is tech-savvy, they can handle both roles. But if your spouse or adult child isn't comfortable with technology, consider naming a separate digital executor — a younger family member, a trusted tech-savvy friend, or even a professional digital estate service.

Legal recognition: Some states formally recognize digital executors; others don't. Even in states without formal recognition, naming a digital executor in your will provides clarity and authority for that person to act. Under RUFADAA, your executor (traditional or digital) needs explicit authorization to access digital assets — so the designation in your will matters.