Digital Legacy Solicitor

My digital legacy

What are digital assets?

We live in a digital age. We document so much of our lives on social media, and use different online accounts for banking, email, shopping and entertainment. These different accounts are known as digital assets. Basically, they are those accounts that you can access on your mobile phone, laptop and tablet.

Some examples of digital assets include

• personal social media accounts like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
• online bank accounts, including PayPal
• cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin
• email accounts like Outlook, Gmail and Hotmail
• online dating apps like Tinder and Bumble
• online storage accounts like Google Drive and DropBox

It is most likely that these digital assets are password or username protected, and only you can access them.

What happens when I die?

What happens to my digital assets when I die?

A more recent and now crucial part of drawing up a Will is to consider your digital assets, and what you would like to happen to them in the event of your death.

Digital assets can hold both financial, taking cryptocurrency as an example, and sentimental value. Perhaps these are memories your loved ones should be able to access and cherish as part of your legacy.

In some cases, many of the assets are not owned by the user. For example, social media sites usually have policies in place when you sign up, and some accounts may simply be closed after your death. However, the assets that you own need to be protected in the event of your death, and should be a part of your written Will.

Protecting my digital assets

What can I do to protect my digital assets and legacy?

When drafting a written Will, it is important that you now include what you would like to happen to your digital assets when you die. This will make it easier for your loved ones and the Executor of your estate. Things that you can do to protect your digital assets include

• adding to your Will all digital accounts that you may have, with instructions laid out on what you would like to happen to them after you die, especially if they include monetary accounts like cryptocurrency
• backing up of photos and memories to a personal hard drive, which you can leave to a loved one in the event of your death
• appointing a Power of Attorney, who is someone who handles your affairs in the case of you temporarily or permanently becoming unable to look after or make decisions for yourself

Why Watermans?

Why should I choose Watermans to help me to protect my digital legacy?

At Watermans, we have over thirty years of experience in the legal sector. We pride ourselves on giving a professional and confidential service to all our clients, by providing straightforward legal advice.

Our dedicated private client solicitors are here to help you to protect your digital legacy, long after your death. We know that writing a Will and determining what happens after you pass away can seem daunting, but we explain everything to you in a way that is easy to understand. We take the hassle out of the legal stuff, so you don’t need to worry about it.