Managing Digital Assets after Death
When someone passes away, the process of sorting out all their assets can be an upsetting and stressful time. However, one thing that’s normally not mentioned or thought of is the digital footprint they leave behind.
According to NordPass, the average person has 80-100 online accounts – containing a range of personal information and photos, from social media accounts such as Facebook, to the likes of online banking accounts such as PayPal. With such a large number of accounts, it is certain when someone passes away, they will leave a large digital footprint.
What happens to digital assets when someone dies?
- Have you ever thought about your online accounts when making a Will?
- Have you ever thought about what happens to these accounts when you die?
- Have you ever thought about how you want these online accounts managed when you die?
When you or a loved one passes away, there is always a risk of personal information being stolen from the deceased’s account, just like any other time. However, they will no longer have any control over their online security. In addition, with so many different accounts, it can be a pain dealing with the digital footprint left behind and keeping it in order. This article will help explain the different types of digital assets and social media accounts and how they can be managed following someone’s death.
Digital Assets
A digital asset is anything that an individual owns within a digital format, rather than a physical one and often comes with a right of use.
This can include:
- Digital photos & videos
- Music files
- Other online banking such as PayPal, Revolut, Monzo
- Cryptocurrencies
- Social Media accounts
- Store accounts
- E-mails
- Digital documents
- Other online accounts
Why should I consider my digital assets?
A study by the Law Society has shown that over 90% of will-makers may not be including digital assets.
Such assets you hold like videos and photos you hold on your computer and social media can contain many years of memories that your friends and family may wish to access after you die. Additionally, there may be monetary assets you may want to leave to certain or specific beneficiaries. Access to such assets is not automatically inherited by your beneficiaries, and if the gifting of any of these assets isn’t mentioned in the Will, they may pass with the rest of the estate or even be lost forever.
Managing social media accounts after death
Following someone’s death, friends and family may either want to retain their loved one’s social media accounts for memorial purposes or instead deactivate them. Each social media channel has their own policies regarding the death of a loved one, with some requiring proof of death to memorialise the account or deactivate it.
Facebook offers the option to memorialise the account or to request the removal of the deceased’s account. However, they do not allow access to the account as it is against their policy, no matter if the individual is alive or not. You can find out more about the process here.
Just like Facebook, Instagram offers the option to either memorialise or close the account. Should you wish to memorialise the account, nobody will be able to make any changes or gain access to the account. You can find out more about Instagram’s process here.
Twitter accounts do not allow the deceased’s account to be memorialised, however, it can be removed if contacted by an immediate family member or executor of the estate. Proof of death will be required to complete this process. You can find out more about here.
LinkedIn offer the option of memorialising or deactivating the account, individuals that have the authority to act on the deceased can request this. However, if you are not authorised you are still able to report the account as the holder being deceased and their account will be hidden rather than removed. You can access more information about LinkedIn’s policy here.
Snapchat
Snapchat will delete a loved one’s account by providing them with a copy of their death certificate. You can access their contact form here.
Managing your Digital Assets
At Wallace Quinn, we advise that you should treat your digital assets just as importantly as your physical ones.
- You should keep a list of all your online accounts and passwords, leaving instructions on how each digital asset should be managed following your death.
- Decide on whom you want your digital executor to be, they don’t have to be the same person as the executor on your Will
- Ensure the information is stored in a safe place and can be accessed, should your digital executor need it
- Keep note of password changes and new accounts, and add these to the list to ensure it is up to date.
We suggest appointing someone such as your executor for distributing your digital assets, however, you don’t have to appoint your executor, it can also be someone else. Their task would involve dealing with your social media accounts and be responsible for notifying social media platforms about your death. They may also manage your online subscriptions, ensuring that they’re cancelled and that there are no online payments being taken from the account.
If you would like further help regarding digital presence after a death or you would like to make a Will today, do not hesitate to contact us, or fill out the form below.