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Blogging Basics: Is Your Blog Prepared for Death?

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It isn’t something we like to think about, but are you concerned about what will happen to your blog or your social media account in the event that something happens to you?

Although you have to follow certain procedures when writing a will (to ensure that the will is legal and valid), what you include in your will is up to you. However, there are some other things to think about that we didn’t have to consider 20 years ago; our social media accounts.

It would be difficult to list the details of all your online accounts in your will – even though these would ensure that your executors would be able to access your accounts easily. So what would happen if you left this information out – what happens to your social media accounts when you die?

Social Media Blog Tip

Facebook

Although Facebook’s policy states that it will never release login and password information of individual’s users – even after death – there are two options available when it comes to dealing with a deceased’s account. The account can be permanently deleted, or there is an option to memorialise the account. Only friends and family would see the memorial profile, and be allowed to post messages to the page (which does prevent abuse from trolls). Facebook would also remove contact information and addresses where applicable to the deceased. To make these changes, Facebook requires proof that the individual has died; for example, a link to an obituary or death certificate, before the changes can take place.

Twitter

Similar to Facebook, the executor of the deceased’s estate or a verified family member can apply to deactivate the user’s account. As Twitter is a public domain, there is the option of archiving all the tweets on the deceased’s account; however, they would no longer appear in the ‘who to follow’ section of twitter.

There appears to be a trend amongst all social media and email providers of not providing individual account information – which would allow your loved ones to access your accounts. You could use your will to state some login details and passwords, as this would make their lives easier. That being said, listing information to all your accounts, and updating that information when necessary could be time consuming. You might want to consider some password manager software, or maybe just including information on your main accounts. For more information on what to include in your will read the disputing wills blog.

Useful Apps

If you wish to transfer the rights to access your accounts ranging from social media like Facebook and Twitter to emails after your death, try Legacy Locker. They do offer a free service wherein three digital assets can be stored. Besides, a legacy letter will be received by your recipient on your death. They also have a chargeable service that allows you to store unlimited digital assets along with multiple beneficiaries.

Asset Lock is an excellent service for people who have been involved with heavy duty finance online. It makes sure that your trusted source gets access to all the important files that can be misused online. It also sends letters, messages, and emails to recipients and helps keep track of your social media presence after your death.

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Keri

Wednesday 5th of March 2014

I'm glad to see that other people are thinking about this too. I mean, I have a LOT of online accounts. I keep all my login/passwords in a database that my husband can access.

Kelli Miller

Monday 24th of March 2014

That is pretty smart :-)