Digital estate planning has entered the picture in recent years now that everyone is living in the age of the Internet. There are a number of different facets to take into consideration when you are planning your estate as an Internet savvy individual.
For one thing, there can be digital property that you have to include when you are devising your estate plan. Many people have websites, and some of them have commercial aims. You have to make sure that you pass along instructions with regard to how you want your websites to be handled after you pass away. Access information will also be part of the equation.
Social media accounts must be attended to as well. Just about everyone has a Facebook page, and Twitter and other social media platforms are also very popular. In your digital estate plan, you can let your estate administrator know about the social media accounts that you have.
When it comes to Facebook, an account can be memorialized. Your Facebook page would continue to exist, but there would be no further friend additions, and no updates could be added. However, existing friends could write on your wall to share memories.
Financial Accounts
Financial accounts are also going to enter the picture. Many if not most people handle their banking online, and you may have a brokerage account that you manage online. You should share the appropriate information with the person who will be administering your estate after your passing.
The same thing is true of credit accounts. If you have paperless statements for your credit accounts, you have to share this information when you are putting your estate plan together.
Create a Checklist
If you sit down and create a list of the various different ways that you use the Internet to socialize and conduct business, you can create a checklist that the estate administrator can use when your estate is being administered.
Ultimately, your digital world will be properly attended to after your passing.
Mark Your Calendar
Digital estate planning is one of the many different things that you have to think about if you want to plan your estate in an effective, comprehensive manner. If you would like to gain an understanding of the complete picture, we are offering an opportunity that you may want to take advantage of during the month of July.
Our firm is committed to education, and we offer estate planning seminars whenever we can. There are three information sessions coming up during the month of July, and you can attend them free of charge.
Though the seminars are free, we do ask that you register in advance so that we can reserve your space. To obtain registration details and further information, visit this page: July Estate Planning Seminars.
Latest posts by Raymond German, Estate Planning Attorney (see all)
- 5 Considerations for the First-Time Executor - December 5, 2019
- Make Your Own Plan - December 3, 2019
- Planning for Special Needs Children - November 28, 2019