Death planning just got digital. Password managers like Proton Pass, 1Password, and NordPass are rolling out emergency access features that let you transfer your entire digital life to trusted contacts without court orders or legal documentation. As digital assets multiply and traditional services lag behind, these tools offer immediate solutions to a growing problem that affects millions of families.
The digital afterlife used to be an afterthought. Not anymore. Password managers are stepping into a legal vacuum, offering emergency access features that solve one of the most pressing problems facing modern families: what happens to your digital life when you die?
Proton Pass recently launched emergency access across its entire suite - not just passwords, but encrypted email, cloud storage, and crypto wallets. The feature lets you designate trusted contacts who can request access to your account. After a waiting period you set (anywhere from immediate to 30 days), they get read-only access to everything. "Emergency access isn't restricted to one app with Proton," the company explains. "It's access to your entire account."
The timing couldn't be better. While Apple and Meta offer legacy contacts for specific services, most platforms leave families stranded. The American Bar Association is still grappling with the legal complexities, and accessing deceased accounts often requires court orders that can take months or years.
1Password takes a different approach entirely. The company's zero-knowledge architecture means even 1Password can't decrypt your vault in an emergency - which is great for security but challenging for inheritance. Instead, they offer an Emergency Kit - a downloadable PDF containing your email, secret key, and space for your master password. "You can print off a physical copy before wiping any trace of it digitally," according to Wired's detailed guide. The kit goes in your will or safe-deposit box like any other important document.
NordPass splits the difference with a seven-day waiting period system. Trusted contacts can request access anytime, but you have a week to deny the request before your vault automatically unlocks. Unlike the others, emergency contacts get read-only access - they can view passwords but can't edit, delete, or share anything.
The legal landscape remains messy. "Accessing someone else's account, even with their username and password, isn't legal if it violates the platform's terms of service," the American Bar Association notes. Laws vary by state, making attorney consultation wise for long-term planning.
