What Happens to Your Substack Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Subscribers
Export list before closing
Income
Paid subscriptions ongoing
Archive
Posts remain accessible
Step-by-Step Guide
Export subscriber list
The subscriber list is a valuable asset. Export the full list from Substack settings before making any changes.
Handle paid subscriptions
If paid subscriptions are active, decide whether to continue publishing (via a collaborator), pause, or refund remaining subscribers.
Withdraw earnings
Withdraw any accumulated earnings from Stripe (connected to Substack) and update payment info.
Document Now Checklist
- Substack publication URL
- Number of subscribers (free and paid)
- Monthly subscription income
- Stripe account email
Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Substack. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Related Guides
Domain Names (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare)
Domains expire on a specific date. If not renewed, they become publicly available and can be registered by anyone.
Shopify
If you have an active Shopify store, orders may continue coming in. Your executor needs access immediately to fulfill or refund.
GitHub
Transfer important private repositories to a trusted collaborator or organisation. Go to Repo Settings → Transfer.
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