Devices, Passwords, and Security
What is a password manager and how does it help with estate access?
Short answer
A password manager (LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane) stores all of a person's login credentials in one encrypted vault. If the deceased used one and you can access the master password, you can access virtually all of their accounts. This is why estate…
What this usually means
A password manager (LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane) stores all of a person's login credentials in one encrypted vault. If the deceased used one and you can access the master password, you can access virtually all of their accounts. This is why estate planning increasingly recommends either a legacy contact in the password manager or a written master password in a sealed document with the will.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.