What is a Digital Estate Plan?

Older man holding a digital tablet
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The term “estate plan” encompasses several aspects of someone’s last wishes after their passing. Whether this is a will, a trust, nominating powers of attorney, or more, having a plan in place is essential.

Lately, another type of estate plan has become significant — a digital estate plan. This term is used to describe organizing and managing an individual's digital assets and online presence. This can include everything from social media accounts and digital photos to online banking information and website domain names.

Do I Need a Digital Estate Plan?

Creating a digital estate plan can help ensure that your loved ones can access and manage your digital assets in the event of your death or incapacity. It can also be comforting knowing how your online presence and digital legacy will be preserved or who will be in control of maintaining or finalizing your digital assets.

If you pass without a digital estate plan, your loved ones may have difficulty accessing your digital assets or understanding your wishes for how they should be managed. Too, it may be impossible for them to gain access without your login information.

A digital estate plan can help avoid these problems by giving clear instructions for handling your digital assets. It can also help ensure that your online presence continues to reflect your wishes after you are gone.

What to Include in a Digital Estate Plan

If you are thinking about creating a digital estate plan, there are a few things you will need to consider.

Inventory

It’s essential to have an inventory of all of your digital assets. This includes everything from social media accounts and email addresses to websites and digital files. Once you have this list, you will need to decide who you want to have access to them and what you want them to do with them.

Credentials

You will also need to create login information for each of your digital assets and make sure that it is stored securely. This login information should be given to your executor or a trusted loved one so that they can access your accounts in the event of your death or incapacity.

Feel Confident About Your Estate Plan

Information about your digital assets should be included in your well-rounded estate plan. Having this information in your will can be used to give instructions on how social media accounts should be handled, what should happen to websites and digital files, and who should have access to them.

If you have questions about adding digital asset information to your will or need to start or update your estate plan, the experienced team at Jerimy Kirschner & Associates, PLLC is here to help. We understand that the digital world is constantly changing and it’s best to make sure your digital assets are preserved or removed according to your wishes. Let us guide your loved ones on how you want your legacy remembered both in-person and online.

Fill out our contact form or give us a call at (206) 203-8802 so we can begin working with you.

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