Home › Guides › Secure Home & Dependents › Secure Digital Devices
Secure Digital Devices
Secure Home & Dependents
Locate and secure all digital devices, including desktop computers, laptops, and tablets. These devices may contain important documents, financial records, passwords, photos, and work-related files. If you have access, begin reviewing folders, email accounts, desktop files, and cloud storage. Look for saved legal documents, tax returns, account information, or other materials relevant to handling the deceased's affairs. If devices are locked, you may need help from a trusted IT professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Digital
What should I look for on the deceased's computers and tablets?
Prioritize financial records (tax returns, bank statements, investment accounts), legal documents (wills, trusts, deeds), password files or notebooks, email accounts, digital photos, and any cryptocurrency wallets or keys. Check the Documents folder, Desktop, Downloads, and browser bookmarks. Look for tax software like TurboTax that may contain prior-year returns.
How do I back up data from digital devices before they are wiped or recycled?
For PCs, copy the entire user folder to an external hard drive (1TB drives cost about $50). For Macs, use Time Machine or manually copy files. For phones, back up to iCloud (iPhone) or Google Drive (Android). Complete all backups before resetting any device. If a device is locked and you cannot access it, a data recovery service typically costs $300-$1,500.
What if the computer's hard drive is encrypted?
Macs with FileVault and Windows with BitLocker encrypt the entire drive. You will need the device password, a recovery key, or the linked Apple ID / Microsoft account credentials to unlock it. Check for a printed recovery key in the deceased's files. Without the key, a forensic data recovery specialist may be able to help, but costs start around $500-$2,000 with no guarantee of success.
Process
How do I handle work-owned devices?
Contact the deceased's employer immediately. Work laptops, phones, and tablets remain company property and must be returned. Before returning them, ask the employer if you can copy any personal files (photos, documents) from the device—most will allow supervised access. The employer's IT department can facilitate this. Do not factory-reset a work device without employer permission.