Protecting Your Digital Legacy: Essential Tips for Managing Digital Assets. Have you thought about what happens to your Facebook page, your email account, or all the photos you have stored in your smartphone's cloud service, like iCloud? How will your loved ones access these, manage them, retrieve sensitive information, or close them on your behalf? It's a new area to consider as we plan for our legacy, wills, and trusts.
In today's digital age, our online presence and digital assets are just as important as our physical ones. Yet, many people overlook the importance of including these in their legacy planning. When one of our team’s dad passed away five years ago, he faced numerous challenges accessing his dad’s digital assets, highlighting the need for proper planning. Here’s how you can ensure your digital legacy is secure and accessible to your loved ones:.
What Are Digital Assets? Digital assets include online accounts, social media profiles, email accounts, digital photos, videos, and even cryptocurrencies. In addition, in today's digital world, you may also have online accounts for credit cards, mortgage accounts, Amazon, Walmart, and the list goes on. These assets can hold significant personal and financial value, making it essential to manage them properly. Steps to Protect Your Digital Legacy
- Create an Inventory of Digital Assets: List all your online accounts, including social media, email, banking, and subscription services. Note down usernames and passwords in a secure document or use a password manager.
- Appoint a Digital Executor: Designate someone you trust to manage your digital assets. This person should be tech-savvy and aware of your wishes regarding each account.
- Include Digital Assets in Your Will: Specify your wishes for your digital assets in your will. Clearly state who should have access to your accounts and how you want them to be managed or closed.
- Use Online Tools and Services: Some platforms offer legacy options. For instance, Facebook allows you to designate a legacy contact to manage your account after your death, and Google’s Inactive Account Manager lets you decide what happens to your account after a period of inactivity. Twitter also has processes in place for deactivating accounts after death. YouTube, iCloud, Amazon, and other services have these types of options as well, if you search for them online.
- Store Login Information Securely: Ensure your digital executor can access your login information. Use a secure method, such as a password manager or a sealed document in a safe deposit box, to store this information.
- Regularly Update Your Plan: As you create new accounts or change passwords, update your digital asset inventory and inform your digital executor of any changes.
The importance of planning ahead and taking these steps, can save your loved ones from the stress and difficulty of managing your digital assets after you’re gone. It ensures your online presence is handled according to your wishes and prevents potential identity theft or loss of valuable digital memories.
Additional Resources
- Password Managers: Consider using trusted password managers like LastPass, 1Password, or Dashlane to securely store and manage your passwords.
- Legal Advice: Consult with an attorney who specializes in digital assets and estate planning to ensure all your bases are covered.
- Online Tools: Explore the legacy management options provided by major online platforms you use regularly.
Need Help with Estate Planning? Lowe Dreesen Miller can help you incorporate digital assets into your estate planning. Call us at (573) 888-8888 or (573) 888-8888 to schedule your free estate planning consultation today.
By planning ahead and taking these simple steps, you can protect your digital legacy and provide peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones. Don’t wait—start managing your digital assets today to ensure they are secure and accessible when needed most.