Introduction
Preparing for the Unthinkable
Utilizing the online and digital world provides great convenience, allowing us to manage an extraordinary number of tasks with a few keyboard commands. Privacy and security are of paramount importance when using online services, but these same protections can cause a great deal of challenges for loved ones left to pick up the pieces after an unexpected death. Something as simple as paying the mortgage payment every month can suddenly become a crisis if a surviving spouse doesn’t have access to the bank accounts or the online mortgage payment portal. From the practical (such as bank accounts and bills) to the sentimental (such as family photos and digital memories) a sudden death can lock out surviving loved ones if they don’t know how to access these important digital properties.
Those with a heavy digital footprint often have a great deal of online activity, social media accounts, businesses, freelance gigs, and many other items in their digital legacy that might need to be resolved after a death. Settling an estate today involves far more than simply honoring a will, distributing physical assets, selling physical property, and paying off financial obligations. From the emotional aspects of memorializing Facebook accounts to cancelling online services, all of these online conveniences create a new and unexpected challenge in settling the affairs of an online life.
Ultimately, this report will teach you how you can make it easier for your loved ones—and for yourself—to resolve and clean up a digital legacy in the event of an unexpected death. We all can help, just a little bit, and ease some of the pain and stress for a surviving next-of-kin by being smart now.
Warning
I should warn you up front—discussing this topic, whether the focus is digital or physical, covers uncomfortable topics and unpleasant realities. A sudden death is a devastating event to everyone involved, and we as a society tend to shy away from the discussion of this topic. But today, with our highly digital lives, death has far more implications and considerations that it did even just 30 years ago.
For this report to really urge action, try to place yourself in the shoes of your loved one after your sudden death. I fully admit this approach will manipulate your emotions, play on your sympathy, and evoke as much empathy as possible with the express purpose of making this topic resonate with you and drive you to take action.
This report is divided into two main sections. First, we talk about preparations that you can take to make an unexpected death less stressful and difficult on your surviving loved ones. A lot of these are mundane but important tasks, focused around knowledge transfer and documentation. The second section is geared toward dealing with the aftermath of an unexpected death, and tips, ideas, and strategies to try to make it a bit easier to navigate through a very difficult time.
Chapter 1 looks at preparing your digital footprint to prepare for an unexpected death.
Financials
Assembling a digital legacy
Managing and sharing passwords
Managing a home IT infrastructure
Smartphone considerations
Online digital services
Chapter 2 looks at dealing with the digital legacy of an unexpected death.
Basic household responsibilities
Financials
Passwords and computers
Home IT infrastructure
Online digital services
Digital property legal landscape
Naming Conventions
For the sake of simplicity, I use the term “spouse” as a generic term throughout this document to denote the person responsible for managing sensitive details and assets after an unexpected death. Really, it applies to any close trusted loved one whether it is a husband, wife, partner, parent, adult child, sibling, trusted friend, or another important person in your life.
Disclaimers
I should tell you a few important things about me up front. I’m not a lawyer, and anything that might appear to be legal advice in this report isn’t; it is my own observations and understanding of the topic. I’m also not an accountant, certified financial planner, investment advisor, or any other type of professional financial advisor. Though I discuss a number of financial matters, they are not to be considered professional advice. The information about policies, laws, and other details is accurate as of this writing but certainly is subject to change. It’s best that you check for the latest changes in these areas as time passes. It is always recommended to check any financial, legal, or other advice with your own trusted professional before acting on it.