What happens to your digital accounts and footprint after you die? This is something that many people don't think about, but it's important to consider. Depending on how you plan your estate, your family or other loved ones could be left with a lot of work to do in order to close out your online presence.
Digital executors are becoming more and more common as our lives move more and more online. A digital executor is someone who is responsible for handling your digital accounts and footprint after you die.
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. What is a digital executor?
3. Types of online accounts
4. What are the duties of a digital executor?
5. How to choose a digital executor?
6. Conclusion
Video: Digital Executor: What Does The Word Really Mean?
Introduction: what does the word "digital executor" really mean?
We often hear the term "digital executor" but what does it actually mean? A digital executor is somebody who is appointed to manage a person's online presence and digital assets after they die. This can include things like social media accounts, email accounts, websites, and even cryptocurrency wallets.
What is a digital executor?
A digital executor is an individual or company that manages a person's online presence and digital assets after they die.
The duties of a digital executor can vary depending on what has been specified in the Will or estate plan, but generally speaking, they will be responsible for managing and distributing the deceased's digital assets in accordance with their wishes.
Choosing a digital executor is an important decision, and there are a few things to consider before making your choice. In this article, we will discuss what a digital executor is, what their duties may be, and how to choose one.
Types of online accounts:
There are many different types of online accounts that a person may have, and the digital executor will be responsible for managing all of them.
Some of the most common types of accounts include:
- Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.
- Email accounts: Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook, etc.
- Websites: Personal website, blog, online store, etc.
- Financial accounts: Online banking, PayPal, cryptocurrency wallets, etc.
- Online memberships: Amazon Prime, Netflix, Spotify, etc.
- Cloud storage accounts: Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, etc.
What are the duties of a digital executor?
The duties of a digital executor can vary depending on what has been specified in the Will or estate plan, but generally speaking, they will be responsible for managing and distributing the deceased's digital assets in accordance with their wishes.
Some of the specific duties that a digital executor may be responsible for include:
- Accessing and backing up digital assets
- Closing accounts and cancelling subscriptions
- Managing passwords and access to accounts
- Handling online payments and transactions
- Distributing digital assets in accordance with the Will or estate plan
How to choose a digital executor?
Choosing a digital executor is an important decision, and there are a few things to consider before making your choice.
Some factors that you may want to consider when choosing a digital executor include:
-
Their technological expertise: The digital executor should have a good understanding of technology and how to use it. They should also be comfortable working with different types of software and applications.
-
Their ability to follow instructions: The digital executor should be able to follow the instructions that have been laid out in the Will or estate plan.
-
Their availability: The digital executor should be available and willing to devote the time and energy necessary to managing the deceased's digital assets.
- Their trustworthiness: The digital executor should be somebody who you can trust to handle your affairs in a confidential and respectful manner.
Conclusion
Digital executors play an important role in managing a person's digital assets after they die. The duties of a digital executor can vary depending on what has been specified in the Will or estate plan, but generally speaking, they will be responsible for managing and distributing the deceased's digital assets in accordance with their wishes.
Choosing a digital executor is an important decision, and there are a few things to consider before making your choice. In this article, we have discussed what a digital executor is, what their duties may be, and how to choose one.
If you don't already have a digital executor in place, now is the time to start thinking about it. Talk to your family or loved ones about who you would want to handle your online presence after you're gone, and make sure they are comfortable with the responsibility. You can also add a digital executor to your Will or estate planning documents.
Making sure your digital accounts and footprint are taken care of after you die is an important part of estate planning. By taking the time to plan now, you can make things easier for your loved ones later on.