In the digital age, our online lives have become an integral part of who we are. From Facebook to Instagram, LinkedIn to TikTok, and even online banking and subscription services, the question of what happens to our digital accounts after we pass away is more relevant than ever. Incorporating your social media and digital assets into your estate plan is essential to ensure they are managed according to your wishes.
This article explores the steps you can take to include social media accounts in your estate plan and answers common questions about what happens to these accounts when you’re no longer here.
Why Include Social Media in Your Estate Plan?
Social media platforms are more than just tools for communication; they often hold sentimental and financial value. Here are a few reasons why including them in your estate plan is important:
- Preservation of Memories: Photos, videos, and messages shared on platforms like Facebook and Instagram can become cherished memories for your loved ones.
- Protection Against Identity Theft: An unmanaged account can be vulnerable to hacking or misuse.
- Closure for Family and Friends: Providing clear instructions for account deactivation or memorialization can bring closure to those you leave behind.
- Monetary Value: Some accounts, like YouTube channels or influencer profiles, generate income and need to be handled as part of your estate.
1. Take an Inventory of Your Digital Assets
The first step in managing your digital presence posthumously is to create a comprehensive inventory of your accounts. Include:
- Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Email accounts
- Online banking or investment accounts
- Cloud storage services
- E-commerce accounts (e.g., Amazon, eBay)
- Subscription services (e.g., Netflix, Spotify)
- Monetized accounts (e.g., YouTube, Etsy)
Be sure to note usernames, associated email addresses, and whether you have set up two-factor authentication for each account. For a thorough guide on managing digital assets, visit EstatePlanning.com.
2. Understand Platform-Specific Policies
Every social media platform has its own policy for handling deceased users’ accounts. Here are some examples:
- Facebook: Offers the option to memorialize an account or have it deleted. You can appoint a legacy contact to manage the memorialized account. Learn more on Facebook’s help center.
- Instagram: Similar to Facebook, accounts can be memorialized or deleted upon request.
- Twitter: Allows verified immediate family members to deactivate a deceased person’s account but does not offer memorialization.
- LinkedIn: Offers a process to report a deceased member and close their account.
- Google Accounts: Through the Inactive Account Manager, you can specify what should happen to your account if it becomes inactive.
Understanding these policies will help you include specific instructions in your estate plan.
3. Appoint a Digital Executor
A digital executor is someone you designate to manage your online accounts after your passing. This individual’s responsibilities may include:
- Accessing and managing your digital accounts
- Archiving sentimental content (e.g., photos, messages)
- Deleting accounts you no longer want active
- Handling monetized platforms
For more information on managing digital accounts upon death, Minnesota statutes provide procedures to assist in the event of the death of a loved one.
4. Use Password Managers
A password manager can simplify the process of managing digital accounts by securely storing login credentials. Some password managers, like LastPass or Dashlane, allow you to designate an emergency contact who can access your vault in the event of your death. Ensure your digital executor knows how to access this information.
5. Include Digital Assets in Your Will or Trust
Your will or trust should grant access to your digital assets explicitly. Although not contained in the Will or Trust, you may also wish to include separately:
- Instructions for each account (e.g., delete, memorialize, transfer)
- Access credentials for your digital executor (if not using a password manager)
- Specific guidelines for monetized accounts
Keep in mind that sharing passwords might violate terms of service for some platforms, so consult with an attorney to navigate this issue legally.
6. Back Up Important Data
Regularly back up photos, videos, and other important content from your social media accounts to an external hard drive or cloud storage service. This ensures that your loved ones can access these memories even if account access becomes complicated.
7. Plan for Monetized Accounts
If you’re a content creator, influencer, or business owner with monetized social media accounts, treat these accounts as business assets. Include instructions on:
- How to transfer ownership
- Revenue distribution
- Continuation of business operations (if applicable)
8. Regularly Update Your Plan
Digital assets change frequently, with new platforms emerging and policies evolving. Review and update your estate plan annually to ensure it reflects your current online presence and account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens to my accounts if I don’t include them in my estate plan?
A: Without instructions, your accounts may remain inactive, be deleted automatically, or become vulnerable to hacking. Family members may face difficulties accessing them due to privacy laws and platform policies.
Q: Can I transfer ownership of my social media accounts?
A: Ownership transfer depends on the platform’s terms of service. Some platforms, like Google, allow you to plan for account access, while others prohibit transferring ownership.
Q: Is it legal to share my passwords with my digital executor?
A: Sharing passwords might violate the terms of service for certain platforms. Consult an estate planning attorney to explore legal ways to grant access.
Conclusion
Incorporating social media and digital assets into your estate plan is a crucial step in protecting your online legacy. By taking inventory, understanding platform policies, appointing a digital executor, and including clear instructions in your estate plan, you can ensure that your accounts are handled according to your wishes.
Start planning today to secure not just your tangible assets, but also your digital footprint. For more guidance on estate planning, visit:
If you need assistance with social media and your estate plan, consult a qualified attorney in your area.
