February 22, 2023 –
Just as you set up a living trust, it’s a good idea to set up your online accounts so that someone else can access them after you’ve passed away.
It’s no fun to think about a day when we’re no longer here, but facing reality can save work and heartache for relatives and heirs. If you haven’t set up digital-legacy contacts or other means to share accounts after your death, your heirs typically have to go through a lengthy process to access your data. In some cases, there may be no way for heirs to gain access unless you take steps in advance.
Some tech companies provide digital-legacy tools to let users grant account access to others you designate. They can then download your data or access your files after your death. The legacy-contact tools only allow access and instructions after your death.
The catch is that you must enable the tools before you’re gone. You can set them up in your app and device settings to ensure your loved ones can access all the necessary accounts after your death.
Below are instructions for activating these legacy contact tools on Facebook, Google, and Apple. Also included are the benefits of password managers as a means of managing your digital presence.
Facebook provides a couple of options for your accounts after death. You can select a legacy contact to look after your “memorialized” account or choose to have your profile deleted after someone informs the company of your death. In both cases, the fastest way to notify Facebook is with a death certificate that your heirs upload.
Google’s Inactive Account Manager setting lets you decide what happens to your data after you have stopped using your account for a certain period. You decide how long that is, such as three months or 18 months, and you choose up to 10 people that Google will email when your account reaches that inactive time limit. You also decide what data those people get access to, such as YouTube videos, photos, emails and other documents. They won’t be able to send emails from your account.
To set up the Inactive Account Manager, click here. If you don’t do this, your loved ones must upload a death certificate to close the account and receive any of its content.
Apple
Apple has an option to add people as legacy contacts who would be able to request access to most of what’s in your iCloud account.
You can set up legacy contacts on an iPhone by going to Settings, tap your name at the top then Password & Security > Legacy Contact. People you add are given an access key. After you die, they can go to digital-legacy.apple.com, log in with their iCloud account or provide other contact information and upload a death certificate. Once Apple’s staff reviews it and accepts the request, the contact can log in online or on an Apple device to view your call history, health data, Notes and iCloud backups. Legacy contacts won’t have access to passwords stored in your iCloud Keychain.
If you don’t designate a legacy contact, Apple requires a court order to give someone access to your Apple ID and data.
Password Managers
Password managers store your current logins and they will let you designate trusted contacts who can access your account information.
Two common password managers are 1Passsword and LastPass. 1Password’s “shared vaults” are like shareable folders that only your trusted contacts can view. On LastPass you designate your trusted contacts and invite them to create their own LastPass account. If something happens to you, your trusted contacts can request emergency access to your vault.
No matter the password-storage method you use, experts say you shouldn’t make it too difficult for your trusted contacts to know what accounts you have, and how to log in. It’s also important to share your phone passcode, because many accounts are now protected by two-factor authentication, most often sending a code via text message.
Disclosures
Investment advisory services offered through Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC (“Robertson Stephens”), an SEC-registered investment advisor. Registration does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission. This material is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice. Please consult with your Advisor prior to making any Investment decisions. This material is an investment advisory publication intended for investment advisory clients and prospective clients only. Robertson Stephens only transacts business in states in which it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration. A copy of Robertson Stephens’ current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC which discusses, among other things, Robertson Stephens’ business practices, services and fees, is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. © 2023 Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC. All rights reserved. Robertson Stephens is a registered trademark of Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC in the United States and elsewhere.