Managing Your Digital Legacy

Why Your Digital Legacy Matters

In today's digital age, much of our lives exist online. From social media profiles to email accounts, cryptocurrency wallets to cloud storage - these digital assets form a significant part of our legacy. Just as you would handle physical possessions in your estate plan, it's crucial to consider what happens to your digital life after you're gone.

Failing to plan for your digital legacy can lead to a number of issues:

• Important files, photos, and memories could be lost forever if no one has access to your accounts.
• Your online personas on social media may not reflect how you wish to be remembered.
• Identity theft becomes a risk if accounts are left unattended.
• Loved ones may struggle to manage or close accounts without proper authorization.

Handling your digital affairs is an important part of the legacy you leave behind. A well-planned digital legacy ensures that your online life is managed according to your wishes, and can provide comfort to those you leave behind.

Identifying Your Digital Assets

The first step in managing your digital legacy is to take inventory of your digital assets. This includes any online account or digital file that you own or control. Here are some common categories to consider:

• Email accounts
• Social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
• Cloud storage accounts (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.)
• Financial accounts (banking, investments, PayPal, Venmo, etc.)
• Cryptocurrency wallets
• Shopping accounts (Amazon, eBay, etc.)
• Subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, news sites, etc.)
• Photo and video sharing accounts (Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)
• Blogs and personal websites
• Gaming accounts
• Loyalty program accounts

Create a comprehensive list of all your accounts, along with usernames and any other pertinent information. Don't include passwords in this main list for security reasons. We'll cover how to securely pass on access information later.

Remember to update your inventory regularly as you open new accounts or close old ones. A thorough, up-to-date inventory is the foundation of a well-managed digital legacy plan.

Choosing a Digital Executor

Just as you would name an executor in your will to handle your physical estate, it's wise to appoint someone to manage your digital assets. This person is often called a "digital executor."

A digital executor is responsible for:

• Locating and accessing your digital assets
• Managing, closing, or memorializing your accounts as per your wishes
• Distributing any digital assets to beneficiaries
• Handling any digital-related issues that arise during the execution of your estate

When choosing a digital executor, consider someone who is:

• Technologically savvy and comfortable navigating online platforms
• Highly trustworthy, as they will have access to sensitive information
• Reliable and responsible to carry out duties in a timely manner
• Willing to take on the role and responsibilities of a digital executor

It's a good idea to name a backup digital executor in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to serve. Have a conversation with your chosen digital executor(s) to ensure they understand and accept the role.

Providing Access and Instructions

Once you've chosen your digital executor, you need to provide them with the necessary information and authority to carry out their duties. This includes:

1. Your digital asset inventory
2. Access information (usernames and passwords) for your accounts
3. Specific instructions for each account (close, memorialize, distribute assets, etc.)
4. Legal authorization to act on your behalf

For security, keep your access information separate from your main digital asset inventory. You can use a password manager, an encrypted file, or even a physical safe deposit box. Just make sure your digital executor knows how to retrieve this information when needed.

Provide clear, written instructions for each account. For example:

• "Please close my Twitter account."
• "Please memorialize my Facebook profile."
• "Please transfer funds from my PayPal to my bank account and distribute to beneficiaries as outlined in my will."

To give your digital executor legal authority, you can:

• Include a digital assets provision in your will
• Create a separate digital assets trust
• Provide a power of attorney for digital assets

Consult with an estate planning attorney to determine the best method for your situation and to ensure your digital legacy plan is legally binding.

Deciding the Fate of Your Accounts

An important part of your digital legacy plan is deciding what should happen to each of your online accounts after you pass. Here are some common options:

• Close the account: This permanently deletes the account and its content. Appropriate for accounts you no longer want to exist.

• Memorialize the account: Some platforms like Facebook allow profiles to be memorialized. The account stays up as a tribute, but is locked from further changes.

• Transfer ownership: You may wish to transfer ownership of certain accounts to family members or friends. For example, passing on a photo storage account to your children.

• Distribute assets: If the account holds monetary value (like a PayPal balance or cryptocurrency), provide instructions on distributing these assets to your beneficiaries.

• Ignore the account: For minor or inactive accounts, you might choose to simply let them go dormant. However, this can leave them vulnerable to hacking, so use caution with this approach.

Consider each account individually and make the choice that best aligns with your wishes. Communicate these decisions clearly to your digital executor.

Ensuring Your Digital Legacy Reflects You

Your digital legacy is a reflection of your life, personality, and values. As you plan, consider how you want to be remembered online. Some thoughts:

• Review your public posts and profiles. Is there anything you wouldn't want to remain as part of your legacy? If so, consider deleting or making those posts private.

• Think about the tone and message of your online presence. Does it accurately represent who you are and what you stand for? If not, consider making some adjustments.

• If you have a personal website or blog, you may want to write a final post to be published posthumously, thanking your readers and leaving any final thoughts.

• For social media, you might prepare a final message to be posted by your digital executor, bidding farewell to your online connections.

The goal is to ensure that your digital footprint tells the story you want it to tell. Your online presence can provide comfort and happy memories to your loved ones, so curate it with care.

Digital Legacy Security Best Practices

As you plan your digital legacy, security should be a top priority. You'll be sharing sensitive information like account passwords with your digital executor, so it's crucial to protect this data. Some best practices:

• Use a reputable password manager to securely store and share your login credentials. Look for one with a "legacy" or "emergency access" feature designed for passing on information.

• If storing access information in a physical format, use a secure location like a safe deposit box or fireproof home safe. Avoid writing passwords in plain sight.

• Encrypt any digital files containing sensitive information. Use strong encryption and a secure method to share the decryption key with your executor.

• Be selective in what information you share and with whom. Only provide the minimum necessary access to carry out your wishes.

• Regularly update your access information as you change passwords or enable two-factor authentication on accounts.

• Have a conversation with your digital executor about online security and emphasize the importance of protecting your information.

Remember, your digital legacy plan is only as secure as you make it. Prioritize security to protect your privacy and prevent potential identity theft or fraud.

Wrapping Up - Your Digital Legacy Action Plan

Managing your digital legacy may seem daunting, but breaking it down into steps can help make the process manageable. Here's a recap of your digital legacy action plan:

1. Inventory your digital assets and keep the list updated
2. Choose a digital executor (and a backup)
3. Provide access information and instructions to your executor
4. Decide what should happen to each account and communicate those wishes
5. Curate your online presence to reflect how you want to be remembered
6. Prioritize security in storing and sharing sensitive information
7. Regularly review and update your digital legacy plan

By taking these steps, you're ensuring that your digital life is handled according to your wishes, providing peace of mind for you and guidance for your loved ones. Your digital legacy is an important part of your overall life story - make sure it's told the way you want.