Digital Legacy and Planning
What happens to digital purchases — iTunes, Kindle books, Google Play?
Short answer
Digital purchases are typically licenses, not owned assets — they cannot be transferred or inherited. Your iTunes library, Kindle books, and Google Play purchases may not be accessible to heirs after the account is closed. Physical books, CDs, and DVDs can be…
What this usually means
Digital purchases are typically licenses, not owned assets — they cannot be transferred or inherited. Your iTunes library, Kindle books, and Google Play purchases may not be accessible to heirs after the account is closed. Physical books, CDs, and DVDs can be inherited; digital equivalents generally cannot. This is a known gap in digital estate law.
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.