Nowadays, most people leave behind at least a few digital assets when they pass. In the next decade or so, virtually everyone who dies will have some kind of digital legacy. To prevent headaches for your surviving loved ones—and ensure your last wishes are carried out—you need to include all online accounts in your estate plan. If you’re unsure how to get started, a wills and probate attorney can help with the following. 

Bequeath Digital Assets of Value 

If any of your online accounts are worth money, a wills and probate lawyer will help you name eligible beneficiaries for them. Some of the most common digital assets that can be inherited include online banking accounts, bitcoin balances, digital marketplace accounts, rewards and points accounts, digital intellectual property like graphics, and websites that earn revenue.

Include Any Wishes Regarding Social Media

If you have social media accounts, how do you want them handled upon your passing? Should they be preserved as memorial pages, or would you prefer that they’re simply deleted? Either way, make sure to state your wishes for each account clearly in your will. 

Provide Access to Everything 

Naturally, surviving loved ones—or at least the personal representative of your estate—will need access to all your online accounts to carry out your wishes. An estate planning attorney can provide a checklist of all the most common accounts to ensure you leave behind all usernames and passwords. Remember that along with the assets and accounts mentioned above, certain family members may need access to your email addresses, entertainment subscriptions, tax software, and domains you’ve licensed. 

To discuss your digital legacy with a wills and probate attorney, turn to Darryl L. Jones, Attorney at Law. With offices in Palmer and Anchorage, AK, this knowledgeable lawyer has been counseling Alaskans throughout Mat-Su Valley for more than three decades. Whether you need help resolving a family law dispute or fighting criminal charges, you can count on his legal team. To schedule a consultation for discussing wills and probate, reach out online or call (907) 746-9851.