Jamie P. Hopkins THE LONG VIEW
Jamie P. Hopkins THE LONG VIEW
have the answer, but they’ ll appreciate you asked.
2. Frame it as part of holistic planning. Advisors don’ t need to manage their clients’ passwords, but they can ensure clients work with estate attorneys to update wills, trusts and powers of attorney to explicitly include digital assets. Generic catch-all language isn’ t enough. If someone wants power of attorney, estate documents must grant authority over digital assets specifically. Fortunately, a new model law that has been adopted by most states, called the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, provides guidance for such holdings.
3. Help clients organize. Encourage them to create a secure inventory of key
lives are accounted for as part of their broader estate and financial plan.
4. Collaborate with specialists. Estate planning attorneys and digital vault providers can handle the technical steps, so it’ s important that you work with them, but you yourself will remain the central guide, connecting the efforts of partners back to the client’ s overall wealth and legacy planning.
Why It Matters For Growth And Retention
Your clients increasingly expect their advisors to understand how their lives are intertwined with the digital world. Only 32 % of Americans have an estate plan at all, and among those, just over half say it
Advisors who do bring digital estate planning into the process will demonstrate foresight and care that goes beyond portfolio performance.
accounts, files and assets, along with clear instructions on how these should be accessed or transferred. This exercise not only pre-empts any later confusion but keeps heirs in the know so important information isn’ t later lost. It also gives clients peace of mind knowing their digital takes digital assets into account. This isn’ t just about avoiding liability if you miss something. It’ s a clear opportunity for you to initiate a conversation and guide clients where they need it most.
Advisors who do bring digital estate planning into the process will demon- strate foresight and care that goes beyond portfolio performance. They will strengthen trust with the clients by showing they understand the full picture of client wealth and legacy, and they differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace where many advisors still avoid the topic.
A client who feels seen and protected in all dimensions of their financial life is far less likely to shop around. For advisors focused on growth, digital assets naturally open the door to broader estate and legacy planning, beneficiary reviews, and family meetings that deepen relationships and expand wallet share.
Integrating digital assets into your planning process makes you indispensable. Advisors who adapt not only protect their clients’ digital wealth but also deepen the relationships that drive longterm success.
JAMIE P. HOPKINS, Esq., LLM, MBA, CFP, is chief wealth officer at Bryn Mawr Trust, and chief executive officer at Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors.
22 | FINANCIAL ADVISOR MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2025 WWW. FA-MAG. COM