Navigating Your Loved-One’s Digital Identity Post-Death

Everyone’s heard the warning about how everything you ever put on the internet stays there forever, but have you ever given thought to what happens to your internet presence after you pass? Many fail to consider that in the event of their passing, their family will be saddled with trying to access, transfer or delete their accounts and internet presence; oftentimes without the necessary passwords, logins, or credentials to do so. 

In the event that necessary precautions aren’t taken, this process can be incredibly complex legally and extremely difficult for grieving families to navigate without proper advice and legal support.  In the age of malware and hacking, it’s unwise to write passwords down in a book or duplicate them between spouse and family.  Instead, legacy contacts, or techniques like password database sites, can be extremely effective, as they allow family members and closely trusted contacts to obtain access to your passwords in the event of an emergency or death. These sites and many others rely on a safe process, whereby you securely grant access to emergency contacts during your lifetime who can close or transfer your accounts when you pass. 

Regardless of how you decide to make the necessary preparations to make closing your accounts as seamless as possible at death, what is important is that you make it a priority to do them in advance. Contact us today at elizabeth@boyettelawpllc.com or (984)777-3013 if we can help you probate your loved one’s estate.