CU Boulder’s Digital Legacy Clinic Helps Families Plan Digital Estates

​ Updated June 13, 2025
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Americans’​ digital lives, encompassing everything from cloud-stored family photos to email archives‌ and social media, are constantly expanding. The average internet user juggles over 150 online accounts, generating hundreds of gigabytes of data annually, according to studies by password management firms Nordpass and‍ Dashlane. Yet, few have a plan for their digital legacy.

Unlike ‍physical possessions,online ⁤assets frequently enough don’t seamlessly transfer to the ⁢next generation. Families frequently struggle to access crucial accounts or recover cherished photos, compounding their grief. A recent study indicates that less than 15% of popular online platforms have clear procedures for⁣ handling a⁣ user’s death, and ⁢customer support is often limited. This lack of planning places a practical and emotional burden on families, especially older‍ adults who may lack awareness of⁢ digital estate management.

To address this gap, Jed R. Brubaker, an associate professor of information science, and ⁤Dylan Thomas Doyle, a researcher, both at the University of Colorado Boulder, launched the Digital Legacy Clinic. They believe it’s the first clinic of its kind.

opened in late 2024, the free clinic supports individuals planning for⁤ their ⁤digital lives’ ‌end ‌and those‍ managing deceased loved ones’ digital estates. Operating similarly to ‍a pro ‍bono law clinic, it is staffed by students from the University of Colorado Boulder’s information science department. Community members in the ‌Denver and Boulder areas, and⁤ across the country, can seek assistance.

Interested individuals complete a form to receive support.Clinic staff then follow up via email for clarification and preliminary advice. Given the unique nature of each case, Zoom meetings are often scheduled to create⁤ personalized plans for clients and their families. The clinic offers ​guidance on setting up ‌digital legacy ⁣tools,such as trusted contacts on Google and Apple,or legacy ​contacts on Facebook.

The clinic also assists in memorializing or deleting social media accounts. For instance, Facebook⁤ allows memorializing or removing ⁣an account, requiring a form submission with the ‍person’s name, date of death, proof of passing (like an obituary),⁢ and verification of the requester’s relationship to the deceased. Additionally, the clinic aids in recovering and preserving ⁣digital assets like ‌photos, videos, emails, and legal documents​ stored on platforms like Google Drive.

For those planning ahead, the‍ clinic guides them‌ in creating a digital estate plan,‍ including inventorying online accounts, documenting login credentials, and providing instructions for account closure. Undergraduate and graduate students manage the clinic’s operations,website,client intake,and tailored solutions research. This provides students with hands-on learning,⁢ connecting academic work to real-world needs, and developing valuable communication, privacy law, and data management skills.

What’s next

The Digital Legacy clinic is notably accessible to older adults in the Boulder and Denver areas, offering⁣ in-person support to help them‍ organize their digital lives, prevent identity theft, and ensure trusted individuals⁣ can access their accounts.