“Digital assets are now a major cause of problems in settling and distributing estates. You must carefully consider and incorporate your digital life into the estate plan.”
Almost every state has by now enacted laws giving executors the right to manage digital assets, including computer files, web domains and cryptocurrencies, reports a recent article from Forbes, “Smartphones, Email, Other Digital Assets And Your Estate Plan.” Another law, The Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act, is making its way through statehouses and would recognize electronic and digital signatures on trusts, wills and other estate planning documents, making paper and ink signatures a thing of the past.
Neither of these laws gives anyone, executor, spouse, or best friend, the legal right to access email, text messages, social media accounts and any other digital assets, unless the power to do so is given expressly in a will, trust, power of attorney, or court order. Without express permission, the digital door is permanently shut.
Making matters even more complicated, each digital platform has its own rules about allowing people other than the account owner to access digital assets, even if they have the username and password.
Another factor further complicating digital estate planning is the two-factor authentication many websites use today. This is done via biometrics, i.e., facial recognition or a code sent by text or email to the original owner's cell phone or email address needed for access.
Cyber thieves are aware of the problems facing unskilled executors, and stealing the identities of recently deceased individuals has become a fast-growing crime. When identity theft occurs online, the assets are often compromised before executors and survivors can access the decedent’s assets.
There are steps to take that will prevent your executor from grappling with these problems.
First, create an inventory of devices, including cell phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. If you have old devices that you no longer use, delete your personal data and label them as not in use. A tech-savvy person could use an old device to access your accounts.
Next, create an inventory of all your digital accounts. This includes everything from social media to websites, photo storage, device access, shopping sites, subscriptions, video games, cryptocurrency, bank accounts, investment accounts, medical portals and frequent flier miles. Add notes regarding two-factor authentication: Will your texts need to be accessible to gain access to the account, or have you activated facial recognition?
Go through each item and decide who you want to access each item. Your will, trusts and POA should include notes on who should have access to each of the digital assets. Without it, your executor will take far longer to complete their task.
Some online services allow you to name a legacy contact and give someone you name access to your accounts and phone after your death. For now, Apple, Google, Facebook and Instagram have these features. Set them up and include them in your digital inventory.
Your will needs to state very clearly who you want access to which accounts. However, it should not include any details about the account, especially not your username and password. If you don’t want your executor to access everything, you’ll need to specify which ones you want them to access and which you don’t want them to access. If that’s the case, you’ll want to have whoever does have access to review emails and other accounts regularly and share any information needed with the executor.
Digital assets are still a relatively new asset class. However, they require as much care as traditional assets.
Reference: Forbes (June 19, 2024) “Smartphones, Email, Other Digital Assets And Your Estate Plan”
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