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Innovation is alive and well in Vienna - we live in smart homes, work in the cloud and invest in digital assets. But what happens to our data when we are no longer around? The "digital legacy" is one of the most underestimated aspects of modern inheritance law. As your law firm in Vienna, we can show you how to make provisions today to spare your surviving dependants unnecessary hurdles tomorrow.
A will used to regulate the house, the savings account and the jewelry. Today, Facebook profiles, crypto wallets and cloud storage are also part of the estate. In this article, you will find out why digital inheritance affects everyone and what the legal situation is in Austria.
The digital estate comprises all rights and obligations that a person has to digital data and accounts. A distinction is made between three main areas:
Assets: Balances with payment services (PayPal), cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum) or income from digital channels (e.g. YouTube income).
In Austria, the principle of universal succession applies. This means that the heirs assume (almost) all of the deceased’s legal rights and obligations.
The trap: Without access data, subscriptions (streaming, cloud) often continue to run for months and are a burden on the inheritance, while important documents are lost in blocked emails.
Don't wait for the legislator to solve all your problems for you. Take these three steps to create clarity:
Create a list of all your accounts. Important: Do not write passwords in a classic will (as this can become public after your death), but use a password manager or an encrypted list.
Determine who should take care of your digital estate. This does not necessarily have to be the main heir. You can name a person in the will who is explicitly responsible for handling the online accounts.
A will that ignores the digital estate is incomplete in the 21st century. We support you in making your will complete:
Dispute avoidance: Clear rules prevent heirs from having to argue about access to private messages or photos.
The digital estate is not an issue for "someday", but an essential part of your assets and your privacy.
Do the check: Would your relatives know how to unlock your PC or cancel current online contracts in an emergency?
Let's secure your inheritance together. Make an appointment at our law firm in Seestadt. We will advise you personally and comprehensibly on all questions of modern inheritance law.
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TomMay 2025An extremely competent and reliable lawyer who took on my case with great dedication when others withdrew at short notice. I highly recommend him!
The Nagler Law Firm is happy to provide you with personalized and comprehensive advice on all legal matters. Our goal is to provide advice that is not only legally sound but, above all, clear, forward-looking, and solution-oriented. Every legal situation is unique—which is why we take the time to thoroughly understand your situation and work with you to develop a tailored strategy.
