The death of a person does not automatically end their digital presence. User accounts, online profiles, cloud storage, email inboxes, and locally stored data on end devices often remain active and may contain personal, confidential, or otherwise protected information.

For heirs, relatives, or other authorized parties, dealing with a digital estate represents an organizationally, technically, and legally complex task. In addition to a wide range of online services, physical IT systems are often involved, for which neither the content nor their condition is fully known.

We provide support in the structured identification, preservation, management, and—where requested—privacy‑compliant deletion of digital estate assets, taking into account the available authorizations and applicable legal frameworks.

Scope of Services

Collection and Examination of End Devices

Upon request, we take over physical end devices from the estate, including in particular:

• Desktop PCs and workstations
• Laptops and notebooks
• Tablets
• Mobile phones and smartphones
• External storage media

The devices are technically examined and secured in order to access and review existing data in a structured manner. All processing is carried out exclusively within the scope of the respective authorization or entitlement.

Data Review and Data Preservation

Together with the authorized parties, it is determined which data:

• is to be permanently retained or archived
• is to be transferred to legal successors
• must be preserved for legal or personal reasons

Data preservation is carried out in a structured and traceable manner using suitable data carriers or agreed storage media. No content‑based assessment or analysis of the data is performed.

Data Deletion and Data Destruction in Accordance with BSI Standards

Data assets that are no longer required are professionally deleted after prior approval by the authorized parties and in accordance with recognized technical standards.

Data deletion and destruction are carried out in line with the recommendations of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), with particular consideration given to:

• appropriate deletion methods for logical data carriers
• complete and irreversible removal of data
• clear separation between data to be preserved and data to be deleted

Where agreed, the process can be documented.

Identification and Closure of Digital Accounts

In addition, we support the identification and handling of digital accounts and online services, including but not limited to:

• email and cloud services
• social networks and messaging platforms
• online memberships, user profiles, and subscriptions

Account closure and deletion are carried out in accordance with the respective platform policies and applicable data protection requirements.

Legal Framework and Responsibilities

Our services are provided exclusively on the basis of valid powers of attorney, proof of inheritance, or other appropriate forms of authorization. We do not provide legal advice and do not make independent legal or content‑related decisions.

Personal data is handled in compliance with applicable data protection regulations and with the highest level of confidentiality and care.

Orderly Processing of Digital Estate Matters

A digital estate today comprises both online accounts and locally stored data on physical devices. A structured, transparent, and technically sound approach provides clarity, reduces risks, and relieves authorized parties during the processing of digital estate matters.

Our service is intended as a factual, reliable, and discreet form of support for the proper management and closure of digital matters.

Device Restoration for Continued Use

Upon request, we restore the transferred devices after completion of data preservation and data deletion, enabling further use.

This may include, among other things:

• reinstallation of an operating system
• basic configuration of system software
• handover of the device in a technically operational condition

Restoration is carried out solely after prior agreement and within the technical capabilities of the respective device. Any data transfer is limited to the scope explicitly agreed in advance.

Preparation and Support for Device Resale

If requested, we also provide support—by separate agreement—in preparing an end device for resale.

This includes in particular:

• complete and irreversible data deletion
• reset to a neutral, usable default state
• basic technical functionality check

Determination of market value, sales brokerage, or legal review of sales conditions is not part of our service unless expressly agreed upon separately.

Limitation

Restoration or resale preparation does not constitute any guarantee regarding the long‑term functionality of the device and does not replace any manufacturer warranties applicable to the purchaser.