How To Handle The Deceased’s Digital Assets

Being in charge of your loved one’s digital footprint can be an overwhelming task. It helps if the deceased person left instructions in a digital legacy plan, but if you’re starting from scratch, you should prepare yourself as the process can take months to complete.

You will have to contact each company or organization separately in order to manage your loved one’s online accounts and profiles. Start by creating a list of all known digital assets. You may be able to find some of this information in the will, but you might need to ask other family members and/or close friends for help in compiling the list. The deceased’s employer may also have input on various business accounts and networks that were owned or managed.

Some digital services provide step-by-step instructions on how to close/cancel online accounts and profiles, but in most cases, information regarding account termination can only be found by reading the “Terms and Conditions” of each individual service. Needless to say, there’s a lot of fine print to wade through. It might be easier to delegate certain tasks to trusted family or friends to ensure that everything is properly taken care of.