If you live in Sarasota or Venice and own cryptocurrency, NFTs, or other digital assets, your estate plan may already be outdated.
Florida families are increasingly holding digital assets; yet, many estate plans still overlook them. Without proper planning, your loved ones may lose access to valuable cryptocurrency wallets or face complex legal challenges when transferring ownership.
A reliable estate planning attorney in Sarasota, FL, can help ensure your digital assets are just as protected as your home, bank accounts, and investments.
In this guide, we’ll cover five innovative ways to include crypto, NFTs, and online property in your estate plan—and how to keep your digital wealth secure for future generations.
5 Ways to Protect Your Crypto and Online Assets in a Florida Estate Plan
1. Create a Comprehensive Inventory of Your Digital Assets
You can’t protect what you haven’t documented. Start by identifying every digital asset you own, including:
- Cryptocurrency wallets and exchange accounts
- NFTs, digital art, or tokenized assets
- Domain names, websites, and online stores
- Cloud storage files or monetized social media accounts
Once you’ve listed them, note where they’re stored, how they’re accessed, and who should inherit them. Keep this record offline and secure in an encrypted file or password manager.
A trust attorney in Sarasota, FL, can ensure that your asset inventory is legally incorporated into your estate documents, in accordance with Florida laws for digital asset inheritance.
According to a 2024 Forbes Digital Assets Report, over 20% of all Bitcoin holdings are inaccessible due to lost passwords or missing private keys—proof that digital organization is as vital as legal documentation.
2. Appoint a Digital Executor for Your Florida Estate Plan
Traditional executors manage property, investments, and debts—but they may not know how to access crypto or online accounts. That’s why modern estate plans include a digital executor in Florida estate planning.
This person should be:
- Tech-savvy enough to handle digital transfers
- Trustworthy and aware of your privacy wishes
- Named explicitly in your will or trust with explicit authorization
Your estate planning lawyer in Venice, FL, can help include the correct authorization language under the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), which Florida has adopted to protect executors and heirs handling online property.
For a deeper understanding of modern estate planning tools, visit our Advanced Estate Planning page.
3. Use Trusts to Protect and Transfer Cryptocurrency
Trusts are one of the most effective tools for cryptocurrency estate planning that Florida residents can use. A trust allows you to assign ownership, privacy, and control over how assets are distributed—without the need for probate.
With guidance from a wills and trusts lawyer in Sarasota, FL, you can:
- Add wallet addresses and instructions to a private trust schedule
- Ensure beneficiaries inherit assets legally and securely
- Prevent family disputes over ownership or access
- Protect against market volatility and potential tax exposure
Trusts can also help manage NFTs and online accounts with detailed terms for transfer, maintenance, or sale. For long-term strategies involving elder care or Medicaid qualification, explore our Elder Law and Long-Term Care Planning services.
4. Secure Private Keys and Wallet Information Safely
Private keys are the gateway to your crypto—and once they’re lost, there’s no recovery. Safeguarding this information should be your top priority.
Innovative protection strategies include:
- Storing keys in encrypted hardware wallets (cold storage)
- Creating a dual-access system where two trusted individuals hold separate credentials
- Backing up instructions in a secure, sealed letter stored with your attorney
Never include private keys directly in your will, as wills become public records in the Florida probate court. Instead, a knowledgeable estate planning attorney in Sarasota, FL, can structure confidential access instructions to ensure your family can recover assets when the time comes.
This process is vital for protecting crypto wallets in estate plans and ensuring compliance with Florida’s fiduciary and digital access laws.
5. Update and Review Your Plan Regularly
Digital technology evolves fast, and so should your estate plan. Schedule a review every two to three years—or sooner if you buy new assets, open new wallets, or move between states.
Your estate plan should always reflect your current holdings, beneficiaries, and the legal protections you have in place.
Updating also prevents the risk of outdated documents invalidating your digital access permissions under changing Florida estate planning laws for digital assets.
To stay informed, visit our Blog Section for updates on estate planning innovations and legal insights that affect families across Sarasota and Venice.
A 2024 Pew Research study found that only 32% of U.S. adults have an up-to-date will or estate plan, highlighting the urgent need for regular reviews and digital inclusion.
How Roulet Law Helps Families Protect Their Digital Legacy
At Roulet Law Firm, P.A., we combine traditional estate planning with modern digital asset strategies. From cryptocurrencies to social media legacies, our attorneys craft comprehensive plans that ensure your wealth—both online and offline—is protected for generations.
Our services extend beyond Sarasota and Venice, helping clients across Florida and Minnesota plan for a secure digital future. Discover more about our specialized planning services tailored to meet the unique needs of your family.
Are You Protecting Your Digital Legacy for the Next Generation?
Your cryptocurrency and online accounts may be intangible, but their value is very real. Without a solid estate plan, they could vanish forever.
By working with a reliable estate planning attorney in Sarasota, FL, you can:
- Legally include crypto and NFTs in your estate plan
- Protect private keys and online accounts
- Ensure heirs receive what you intend—securely and privately
Your legacy deserves more than passwords and wishful thinking.
Ready to protect what you’ve built? Book your private consultation to secure your digital and financial future. Call our office today at (941) 909-4644 for our Florida office or at (763) 420-5087 to schedule your appointment. Or you can fill out the contact form on this page and a member of our team will reach out to schedule your meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I include digital assets in my Florida estate plan?
Because digital assets hold real value—both financial and sentimental. Without a plan, they can be lost forever or inaccessible to your heirs.
Can I include cryptocurrency in a Florida will?
Yes, but you must avoid listing private keys directly in the document. Your attorney can include detailed instructions within a trust or private memorandum.
What happens if my heirs are unaware of how to access my wallets?
Without instructions, your crypto could be lost permanently. Work with a trusted attorney in Sarasota, FL, to legally structure secure access plans.
Does Florida recognize digital executors?
Yes, under RUFADAA. You can legally appoint a digital executor to handle your online assets during estate administration.
How often should I review my estate plan?
Every two to three years, or after significant financial or life changes, such as new digital investments or platform updates.
What are the risks of using only exchange accounts for crypto storage?
Exchange accounts may freeze or restrict access after the account holder's death. Cold wallets and trusts provide better control and security.
Can digital assets be taxed in Florida estates?
Yes. While Florida does not have a state estate tax, federal tax rules still apply to digital assets, which are treated as property by the IRS.
How do I protect my family's access to cloud data and online accounts?
By authorizing digital access in your will or power of attorney, you follow Florida's fiduciary and privacy laws.
