Talking about death isn’t fun. But it will happen to all of us and a little preparation can be a big gift to your loved ones. An often-overlooked area of end-of-life planning is your digital afterlife. You probably have a will and may have even thought to write down bank account numbers, but what about website passwords? I have helped clients’ family members and even my own family deal with the frustration of recovering online account access for someone who has passed away. I can tell you from experience that it is enormously helpful to have those passwords available. Consider making a copy of your passwords and attaching that sheet to your will. Most important are email accounts and financial websites. If you are a Gmail user, you can setup Inactive Account Manager to grant a trusted contact access to your account after it has been inactive for a set amount of time. Similarly, Facebook users can add a legacy contact who will have access to your social media profile after your death. However you do it, a small act now can mean a lasting gift in the future.
