Do You Have an Online Estate Plan?
Even if you have thoughtfully created a will to protect your family and ensure that your wishes are carried out, your online life may have been overlooked in the process, leaving loved ones vulnerable. It can be even more complicated if you are incapacitated. If there is no power of attorney, then a guardian or conservator must be appointed to have access to online records. Some companies won't even give the information out without a specific court order. What to do?
- Make sure you consider all of your accounts, not just financial ones. Don't forget about e-mail, photos stored on-line, and social networking sites, including any blogs you may pen.
- Make a list of all of your user names and passwords and tell a trusted family member or friend where the list is kept. You can also keep the list with an attorney or in a safe-deposit box ? just be sure that a family member is aware of that fact.
Taking care of these often overlooked steps can give you and your loved ones greater peace of mind. For planning tips for your offline estate, visit our website www.lls.org/plannedgiving or request our free Fact Sheet, Estate Planning Basics, by calling (888)773-9958 or e-mailing us at legacy@lls.org.
