Handling Your Digital Estate

The law is being overtaken by the reality of the digital legacy that most people now leave behind. A very few states have passed laws addressing various aspects of the problem, including the problem of survivors gaining access to password-protected accounts. Meanwhile, Google is allowing users to set up a system so they can have content deleted after they die or name up to ten people who will be able to access only designated content, but not entire accounts or passwords. Some lawyers suggest naming a digital executor, although until the law changes that person may not be able to gain access to accounts unless specific arrangements have been made. Some existing online services will transfer passwords and other personal data to designated recipients. As for planning for the dispensation of content stored on personal computers and drives, it remains a doable but for many a formidable and a time-consuming task.