First, what is a Digital Asset? It is personal information that is stored electronically on either a computer or an online “cloud” server account. If you use a computer, a password protected cell phone, social media, OR if you make online purchases, pay bills or do banking online – you have digital assets to consider.
Generally required is a user name and a password and/or PIN to access. If a family member or friend becomes incapacitated or passes away, it is almost impossible to retrieve information without the user name and log in information.
Take time to record all of your digital assets in a safe place. Share the information with the person to whom you have granted power of attorney, with your executor, and with other trusted people who would need to have it.
Need help identifying the potential digital assets? Consider the following:
Electronic Devices; Benefit Accounts; E-mail accounts; Financial accounts; online merchant accounts – Amazon or Zappos.; Organization Accounts; Photography and Music Accounts; Publication Accounts; Social Media Accounts; Video Account; Virtual Currency Accounts with Cash Value; and Web Site Accounts.
So how do you plan for your digital assets?
Use specific language in estate planning documents (will, trusts, and power of attorney) that authorizes your representative to handle digital assets as well as tangible assets. Make a list of your digital assets in your will as you would for untitled personal property. Don’t include private information (e.g. passwords) in your will, however, as it becomes a public document after someone dies.
