Frequently Asked Questions

When someone dies, their subscriptions continue charging their credit cards or bank accounts indefinitely. Companies like Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon don't automatically know when a customer passes away. These charges can continue for months or years, costing families thousands of dollars. That's why it's crucial to have a digital estate plan that includes a list of all subscriptions and account information.

To cancel a deceased person's subscriptions: 1) Gather death certificate and proof you're the executor or next of kin, 2) Make a list of all known subscriptions by checking bank/credit card statements, 3) Contact each service directly - most have bereavement departments, 4) Provide required documentation, 5) Request confirmation of cancellation in writing. Some services may require notarized documents or letters of testamentary.

No, subscriptions do NOT automatically cancel when someone dies. Companies have no way of knowing when a subscriber passes away unless they're specifically notified. Even then, most require official documentation like a death certificate. This is why the average family loses $2,400+ per year on forgotten subscriptions after a loved one's death.

A comprehensive digital estate plan includes: 1) List of all digital subscriptions and their costs, 2) Account usernames (but not passwords), 3) Instructions for accessing accounts, 4) Designated digital executor, 5) List of digital assets (photos, documents, cryptocurrency), 6) Social media account instructions, 7) Email account access information, and 8) Instructions for memorial preferences online.

Companies will continue charging indefinitely until they're notified of the death and provided proper documentation. We've seen cases where subscriptions continued for 5+ years after death. Credit cards may eventually expire, but many services switch to charging bank accounts or send to collections, potentially damaging the estate's credit.

Accessing a deceased person's accounts without authorization can be legally complex. Most terms of service prohibit account sharing. However, with proper documentation (death certificate, will, letters of testamentary), family members can work with companies to close accounts. Some platforms like Google, Facebook, and Apple have legacy contact features that make this process easier.

A digital executor is someone you designate to manage your digital assets and online accounts after death. Unlike a traditional executor who handles physical assets, a digital executor specifically deals with online subscriptions, social media accounts, digital files, and other online property. They should be tech-savvy and trustworthy.

The average American has 12 subscriptions costing $273/month. If these continue after death, families can lose $3,276/year. Over 5 years, that's $16,380. High-value subscriptions like business software, premium services, and annual memberships can cost even more. One family we helped was paying $450/month for forgotten subscriptions - over $5,400/year.

The most commonly forgotten subscriptions include: 1) Streaming services hidden on smart TVs (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+), 2) Annual subscriptions that renew quietly (Amazon Prime, Costco), 3) Software subscriptions (Adobe, Microsoft 365), 4) Cloud storage (iCloud, Dropbox), 5) Security services (Norton, ADT), 6) Gym memberships, 7) News subscriptions, and 8) App subscriptions on phones/tablets.

SubsVault helps by: 1) Creating a secure list of all your subscriptions (no passwords needed), 2) Sending periodic check-ins to confirm you're okay, 3) Only giving your designated beneficiary access if you stop responding, 4) Providing clear cancellation instructions for each service, 5) Saving families an average of $3,000+ per year. It takes just 5 minutes to set up and is free forever.