What Happens to Your Substack Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Paid subs
Varies — check each
Own newsletter
May have subscribers & revenue
Urgency
Medium — multiple charges possible
Step-by-Step Guide
Cancel all paid subscriptions
Log in at substack.com → Settings → Paid subscriptions. Cancel each paid newsletter individually. Check for multiple active subscriptions.
Check for owned newsletters
If the deceased published their own Substack newsletter, check the dashboard for subscriber count and earnings. Paid newsletters may have funds pending payout via Stripe.
Export newsletter content
Go to Settings → Publication → Export data to download all posts and subscriber data from any owned newsletters.
Download saved articles
Review the library for saved posts from subscribed newsletters. Download or screenshot important content.
Document Now Checklist
- Substack account email and login
- List of paid newsletter subscriptions
- Whether they published their own newsletter
- Any pending earnings from owned newsletters
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.
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