When people think about estate planning, they usually picture homes, bank accounts and vehicles. Digital assets can be easy to overlook. Email accounts, airline miles and cryptocurrency may carry real value, yet they do not pass automatically when someone dies. In Ohio, the way these assets transfer depends on both state law and private company rules.
Not all digital assets work the same way
Digital assets fall into several distinct categories. Each category affects what happens after death, requiring a different approach to your planning:
- Informational assets: Accounts that store communications or records, such as email, social media and cloud storage
- Financial digital assets: Assets that hold direct financial value, including cryptocurrency and online investment accounts
- Contractual rewards programs: Programs that provide contractual rewards, such as airline miles and credit card points
Each group follows different rules. Some assets involve ownership, while others only involve access. Without clear instructions, executors of an estate may struggle to manage or retrieve them during probate.
How Ohio addresses digital access
Ohio has adopted a law that specifies how fiduciaries should handle digital property. This directs when an executor or trustee may access digital accounts. Under this law, access does not happen automatically and follows a clear priority order. Courts first look at online tools offered by the platform, such as a legacy contact setting. Next, they review estate planning documents. Last, they rely on the platform’s terms of service.
Sharing passwords does not solve the problem. Many companies prohibit it, and doing so may violate account agreements.
Airline miles and loyalty points
Airline miles and reward points usually do not function like traditional property. Most programs treat them as personal and nontransferable so that when the account holder dies, the points may expire or disappear.
Executors may assume these rewards can be divided like other assets but, in reality, the program contract controls the result. Some airlines allow limited transfers with advance planning, but many do not.
Cryptocurrency requires clear instructions
Cryptocurrency counts as property under Ohio law, but access depends on private keys and recovery phrases. Without them, owners risk losing the asset permanently. Planning ahead lets owners include a lawful method for passing access information without exposing it during life.
Why planning for digital assets matters
Digital assets may carry financial value or personal significance. While Ohio law sets rules for how fiduciaries may access them, it does not address every situation. When specific details are missing, families and executors may encounter delays. This lack of information can lead to unanswered questions during estate administration.
Digital accounts, rewards programs and online investments add another layer to the probate process. A mix of state law, platform policies and available information shapes how people manage these assets. Awareness of those factors can help set expectations when an estate includes property that exists largely online.