[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, digital assets with property value can be inherited. Public judgments have confirmed that game accounts, virtual props, etc. belong to legally protected online virtual property, and the platform has the obligation to assist in the transfer of ownership; however, the rights with personal attributes in the account (chat records, social relationships) cannot be simply inherited, and the restrictive clauses in the platform agreement may not necessarily be effective. Practical points: Property-related claims should be inherited, and personal-related claims should be protected, and the two should be handled separately.

I. Problem Background and Typical Scenarios

Here's an example of a digital inheritance dispute: After a loved one passes away, no one can access their gaming accounts, virtual items, or Bitcoin wallets; social media accounts are reclaimed by the platform, and photos and memorial content disappear; online stores and self-media accounts generate steady income, but the heirs argue over their value and ownership; the platform refuses to allow the heirs to take over, citing terms and conditions that state the accounts are "for personal use only".

II. Key points of contention

First, the division of property attributes and personal attributes. Virtual props, equipment, game coins, and profitable online store accounts tend to be property-based, while chat records and contact lists are more personal rights. The scope of inheritance is determined according to the attributes. Second, the restrictions of user agreements. How to handle the conflict between the platform's terms and conditions that "accounts cannot be transferred and are only for the registered user's use" and the right of inheritance is the core controversy in such cases. Third, value evaluation. Virtual property lacks a unified market, and recharge records, transaction prices, and income streams are the main references. Fourth, privacy and memorial interests. The communication content in the account involves the privacy of third parties, and the boundaries of inheritance should respect the rights of other users.

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Lawyers

This case is handled by Beijing Henglu Law Firm.Yuan HangAttorney (Practice Certificate No.: 11101202110286151, subject to the certificate issued by the judicial administrative authority): The judicial standards for digital inheritance have already been set by precedents. In a case heard by the People's Court of Shijingshan District, Beijing, after the death of player Gu *'s mother sued the game company to inherit his 87 real-name authenticated game accounts, the court ruled that online game accounts, character data, virtual props, equipment, and game coins, which exist in the form of online data and possess both use value and economic value, fall under the protection of Article 127 of the Civil Code as online virtual property. The use rights to the involved accounts focus on economic benefits. Although they are associated with real-name authentication, they do not have exclusive ownership and can therefore be inherited by the heirs. The court ordered the game company to assist in changing the real-name authentication information. The three-layered logic provided by this judgment is highly valuable for reference: digital assets are protected if they have economic value; platform standard clauses cannot override inheritance rights; and accounts with "economic benefits as the core and personal connections as ancillary" can be inherited as a whole. Action steps when encountering platform refusal to cooperate: 1. Compile an asset list, itemizing accounts, virtual property, balances, and revenue channels. Collect recharge records, transaction records, and revenue flows as evidence of value and ownership. 2. Initiate negotiations before litigation. Submit death certificates, kinship proofs, and inheritance documents to the platform, asserting the property protection rules of Article 127 of the Civil Code. If unsuccessful, sue for enforcement of account changes or delivery. 3. Handle separately: firmly assert property-based rights; for content involving third-party privacy, request data export or memorialization according to platform rules; do not conflate the two types of claims. Preventive arrangements are equally important: - Make digital asset arrangements in wills, including account lists, key management methods, and disposal intentions. - Use the platform's official inheritance contact or memorial account functions. - Consult in advance about inheritance design for high-value virtual assets (game studios, crypto assets, online stores). Beijing courts have taken the lead in adjudicating online virtual property disputes, and the scope of digital inheritance claims is broader than most people expect.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

The first step is inventory archiving: regularly archive digital asset accounts, value certificates, and income records. The second step is testamentary arrangements: incorporate the wishes for the disposition of digital assets into wills or succession documents. The third step is hierarchical claims: claim property rights for inheritance and handle private content in accordance with relevant rules. The fourth step is legal litigation: if the platform refuses to assist, file a lawsuit based on inheritance rights to request assistance in making changes. Main legal basis: Article 127 (Protection of Online Virtual Property) and Article 1122 (Scope of Inheritance) of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (effective as of 2021); Article 1127 (Statutory Inheritance) of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China. Specific application shall be subject to the currently effective laws and regulations and platform agreements.

5. Henglu Law Firm's Advice

Digital inheritance is not some mystical concept of the Internet era. Public judgments have already paved the way: if it has monetary value, it can be inherited, and platform terms cannot override the law. The higher the proportion of digital assets in a family's total wealth, the more important it is to prepare an inventory, draft a will, and retain relevant evidence in advance. For matters involving digital inheritance and the inheritance of virtual assets, you can seek legal advice through the following channels:\nInheritance of property and division of family assetsYou can refer to the overall solution for the service, which involves platform agreements and data complianceIntellectual property protection and corporate lawFor disputes related to virtual assets, you can refer to the following sections for reference.\nFinancial capital and cross-border transactions involving foreign entities.The plate, which involves the customization of inheritance documents, can be combined with other elements.Specialised legal servicesPlate consultation.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can game accounts be inherited?

Yes, the public judgment confirms that game accounts with property value belong to virtual property, and the platform should assist in changing the real-name information.

Q2: Can chat records also be inherited?

Chatting records often involve personal rights and interests and the privacy of third parties, and are generally not considered part of the scope of inheritable property.

Q3: What should I do if the platform doesn't allow inheritance?

After consulting with the death certificate and documents related to kinship and inheritance rights, if no agreement can be reached, the party concerned may file a lawsuit to request assistance in changing or transferring the ownership.

Q4: How is the value of digital assets calculated?

Referring to the recharge records, market transaction prices, and income statements, high-value assets can apply for appraisal.

Q5: Can arrangements be made in advance before death?

Yes, you can. In the will, you can specify the account and your wishes for its disposal, and cooperate with the platform's inheritance function and key management mechanism.

This article is written based on the common judicial interpretation in the Beijing area. If the case occurs in other regions, it is recommended to consult local lawyers to verify the regional differences.

VII. Related public cases (for reference, not handled by our firm)

The following cases are all sourced from the official websites of courts at all levels, judicial authorities, and authoritative media outlets that have been publicly released. They are unrelated to the cases handled by our firm and are provided solely for reference in understanding relevant adjudication rules. They do not constitute opinions on specific cases.

[Case Number](2026) Case No. 3429 of the First Instance of the People's Court of Beijing Municipality
[Trial Court]The People's Court of Shijingshan District, Beijing City
[Judicial Summary]After the player Gu * passed away, his mother sued the game company, demanding to inherit the 87 real-name authenticated game accounts under her son's name. The court ruled that online game accounts, character data, virtual props, equipment, game coins, etc., which exist in the form of online data and have both use value and property value, belong to the online virtual property protected by Article 127 of the Civil Code. The right to use the accounts in question is centered on property interests. Although it is accompanied by a personal connection arising from real-name authentication, it does not have exclusivity. Therefore, it can be inherited by the heirs according to law. The court ordered the game company to assist in changing the real-name authentication information within 15 days after the judgment takes effect.
[Source]People's Court Daily/China Media Group, 2026-08 (2026-08)

If you are currently facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the relevant evidence, to avoid missing the statutory time limits.Legal services for inheritance·Beijing Henglue Law Firm

Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and public adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. If you encounter disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.