How to ensure digital assets are accessible after death

What would happen if the unthinkable were to happen and your loved ones needed to access the information stored on your phone? Would they know the password to be able to access your key contacts, your banking information or even download the pictures you have saved?

In a period where we have more personal data in our mobile phones than ever before, our smartphones and tablets have become increasingly important to us in our daily lives. They are a bank of information, memories, data and the resource most people use daily to manage not only our communications but our banking, our social media accounts and even the heating in our homes.

With so much information and access to our online activity held in our personal devices, it is understandable that we password protect these devices. With more phones moving towards fingerprint and facial recognition, in some cases, we no longer even insert the password that we set, but rather allow our devices to use these unique identifiers to gain access.

What should I do if someone needs my password?

Leaving details of key information and where appropriate, passwords, is now more important than ever. As we manage so much of our lives online, whether it is our banking, our social media or our utility bills, leaving password information is clearly imperative in the era of technology we find ourselves in.

Should I include my passwords in my Will?

As your Will becomes a public document, it is not advisable to include password information in this document. You may however consider password management options with your executors specified as emergency contacts. Alternatively, you may wish to create, and regularly update a hard copy list of passwords, to be kept in a secure location. You should not give others access to this list, however, advise executors of the presence and location of this list.

Your social media footprint

Social media has become an integral element of communication and content sharing for people of all ages. In the event of your death, would your loved ones know your wishes in relation to your social media, and if so, would they be able to take the action required?

With each social media platform offering different options in respect of your profiles, including memorialisation, closing your account or leaving it active for loved ones to look back on memories and share messages, password access may be required.

With social media and other digital assets playing such a pivotal role in our lives, you should consider including instructions in your Will about your digital assets.

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) has also published guidance on protecting your digital assets, which can be found here

The team here at Price Slater Gawne can provide guidance and assistance on considering your digital footprint and digital assets within your Will. If you would like to speak to a member of the team, please contact WealthProtection@psg-law.co.uk or call 03333 058375.