With the internet being an ever-present quality in our lives, the way we are represented online is now our most valuable possession. From social media profiles to online bank accounts, we keep most of our personal and financial information on the Internet. But what becomes of these digital assets upon our death?
Digital legacy planning ensures that your online accounts, memories, and files are taken care of as per your wishes. It gives you and your loved one’s peace of mind and makes handling your digital footprint easier for them when the time comes.
This guide answers the question of why digital legacy planning is important as well as provides insights on how to develop a secure and organised plan.
Digital legacy planning is the organisation and documentation of your online accounts to allow others to gain access, transfer, or delete those accounts after you have passed.
Digital assets encompass everything that you have an account for online, including your social media, email, banking, cloud storage, and subscription services. These can also include cryptocurrency wallets, digital payment services and personal photos, videos and documents stored online.
By planning, you can ensure the way you want your online presence managed is implemented and this lessens the burden on your family at a time of uncertainty.
Many people never think through what will happen to their digital accounts when they are gone. Without a plan, family and friends may have difficulty accessing important files, shutting down accounts or preventing identity theft.
Digital legacy planning protects memories ensuring family can retrieve sentimental photos, messages, and videos. It also decreases the risk of identity theft by ensuring inactive accounts are closed.
You can also prevent financial issues because digital banks and subscription services are controllable. Most importantly, creating a plan respects your wishes by ensuring you get to choose what happens to your online presence after your death.
Also, the first step this ensures you to write down all your accounts and online services. These will include social media accounts, email accounts, online banking details, subscription services and any cloud storage where important documents or media files are saved. Maintaining a detailed record of both types of accounts will simplify things for your loved ones in managing your digital footprint.
Digital executor the digital executor is someone you trust to handle your digital assets after you die. This individual can be a family member, close friend, or professional executor.
The right person is tech-savvy and understands your preferences. Communicate openly with your chosen executor and make sure they know how to locate your digital assets at the appropriate time.
Think about how you’d like each of your digital accounts to be treated. Some social media platforms do offer options to memorialise accounts, while others allow them to be deleted.
You may also want to transfer access to some digital assets, like financial accounts, over to a designated individual. By putting these clear instructions into place, you can ensure that your online presence is managed in the way that you desire.
Storing your login credentials securely is one of the most important steps to take for digital legacy planning. So, use a password manager like LastPass, Dashlane, or 1Password, to securely store and share your logins.
You might choose to keep a written record in a locked safe at home or with a trusted solicitor, if you prefer having something on paper. It helps protect sensitive files that are encrypted.
At present, UK law does not cover digital inheritance. But you can use your will to clarify that digital assets will need to be handled as well. Seek advice from a solicitor so that your estate plan includes information on how to manage your digital assets. Having a digital executor named in your will also makes it easier.
Your online footprint may grow and change, so you should regularly revisit and update your digital legacy plan. If you open new accounts, change passwords or name a new digital executor, make sure that your plan reflects these changes. You must keep your plan up to date so that it works.
One typical mistake is to omit from this list smaller accounts (like online shopping, streaming services). Even minor subscriptions can complicate things if you don’t include them in your plan for your digital legacy.
Another snag is not letting your digital executor know about his or her role. Communicating your wishes is the key to making sure your executor has no confusion when it comes to providing them. An important consideration is that your road map must be continuously updated, since real-time information is what makes it valuable.
The regulation of digital assets in the UK is still being determined. Know the platform policies: Since each online service has its own rules about what happens to accounts after someone dies, be prepared for differences between them. Some sites, for example, allow accounts to be memorialised; others require certain documentation before providing access to an account.
Many data protection laws, like GDPR, also affect the ability of a family member to access accounts without prior arrangements. Including a digital executor in your will and providing clear instructions can help avoid those legal hurdles.
One of the broadest problems it addresses is the inability of families to access a loved one’s email account, which is often virtually impossible because of strict policies all the platforms have in place. Access could have been easier had the deceased left behind clear instructions in his or her will. These legal issues can help protect your digital assets.
Which is why at GentleTech, we know that digital legacy planning might seem like a daunting task. We help you harden your personal brand through authority.
Identify and classify your digital assets during a free consultation. We provide tools for setting up secure storage and for password management. We also continue to update, so your plan stays up to date.
With an emphasis on empathy, we guide you through planning your digital legacy in an easy and non-stressful way. Our jargon free advice is specific to UK regulation and the digital platforms. We make sure that your digital properties are secure and well managed.
Plan Your Digital Legacy Planning your digital legacy involves taking steps to ensure your online accounts are managed according to your wishes after you pass away. It minimizes the stress on your loved ones during a tough time.
GentleTech is the way to go if you need assistance. In a secure, personalized, and friendly atmosphere, our team will support you to design your digital legacy. For a free consultation, contact us today and make the first move to secure your digital legacy with confidence.
Let GentleTech guide you through this process with care and expertise. 0204 616 0300