FindLaw.com
By: A. Hollyn Scott
March 6th, 2024
If you were to pass away unexpectedly — would a family member or a trusted friend be able to access important electronic records? Can they find emails, bank accounts, or social media accounts? Can someone stop online services from billing your credit card? Who can close your online accounts?
Security-conscious consumers now have access to military-grade cryptography. While hackers are still a big problem, a far more common challenge — and one few people think about — is the difficulty that online security practices pose after a person’s death.
Take some time today to create a digital estate plan to protect your digital assets and sensitive information while ensuring a responsible person can manage or close down your online accounts.
Choosing a password storage system, creating a list of your various log-in credentials, appointing someone to manage your online accounts, and considering how to prevent two-factor authentication problems are all essential steps to creating a rock-solid digital estate plan, but it is also important that you coordinate the details of your digital estate plan with your formal will. To avoid confusion, your will should refer to your digital estate plan and appoint a personal representative to manage your digital accounts and assets after your death.
A. Hollyn Scott, Esq.
