Millions of Brits could be leaving behind secret digital fortunes without realising.
A will-writing specialist says growing numbers of people are building up substantial online assets, from cryptocurrency to PayPal balances, yet fail to include them in their wills.
He warns that forgetting to record these can cause financial loss and legal complications for families.
Henry Poyraz, a will-writing specialist at Rogers and Norton, said: "Many people spend years building wealth online but never think about what happens to it after they die.
"Unlike a house or a traditional bank account, digital assets often leave no obvious paper trail.
"If nobody knows they exist, they may never be found."
Mr Poyraz said digital assets can span a wide range, including cryptocurrency wallets, online-only bank accounts, investment platforms, digital payment services like PayPal, and even funds in betting accounts or digital collectibles such as NFTs.
He warned that these assets are often only accessible using passwords or private keys, meaning executors cannot retrieve them without the correct information.
Mr Poyraz said: "Loss of access can mean permanent loss of wealth.
"Executors may know an asset exists but still be unable to access it without the correct passwords, login details or private keys.
"In some cases, institutions will not release assets even where probate has been granted because the correct security information cannot be provided."
He stressed that not leaving clear instructions can burden grieving families and potentially result in the permanent loss of valuable assets.
Mr Poyraz said: "Executors might not know these assets exist, platforms could refuse access and financial value could be lost by the time access is eventually obtained.
"If the assets can be located, they will usually form part of the residuary estate, but that may not be how the deceased intended them to be distributed."
He advised people to create and maintain a secure record of all digital accounts and assets.
This should include cryptocurrency wallets, online banking details, investment accounts, digital payment platforms, NFTs, subscription services, and foreign online holdings.
He also recommended storing this information in a safe place and telling the executor where it is kept.
Common mistakes include failing to record online accounts, losing passwords, not informing executors about the location of essential information, and overlooking the specific access rules of different platforms.
Mr Poyraz said too many people assume relatives will somehow track down and access everything once they have passed away.
He said: "Whether it is a cryptocurrency wallet, an online investment account or a forgotten PayPal, a little planning now can save families enormous stress, financial loss and uncertainty in the future.
"The biggest mistake people make is assuming somebody else will figure everything out after they have gone."
