Digital Executor and Digital Power of Attorney

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gnfb

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#138029 17-Dec-2013 12:28

I dont know if we are using another term (I did come across Internet Executor) so I don't know if any threads have started on this subject

If they havnt for me anyway its time to "talk turkey" not that I intend to keel over tomorrow but you never know.

Anyway If ther is a Techie lawyer about maybe they might like to throw in there two cents worth

I have started my own Internet demise by setting up a private site on WordPress.com and allowed access to my estate executor.

Feel fre to make comments re this subject.

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

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gnfb

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#953669 17-Dec-2013 12:34

Hmmm looks like you may need to make up a form of Codicil to your will for the Digital Executor. I wonder if there is one online......

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

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gnfb

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#953676 17-Dec-2013 12:37

Oh Ok this is a very useful page

Digital Legacy

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

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Elpie

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#953891 17-Dec-2013 19:11

I don't believe a formal codicil is needed, however, I am a firm believer in putting plans in place. I went through hell twelve years ago (anniversary this Friday) when my husband was killed.

The things people tend not to think about can be the most problematic. For example, forums. Do you want forum subscriptions cancelled and, if so, do you want your past contributions removed? Do you want an announcement made on the forum to notify other users that you are deceased? Same thing with emails - are there people you want notified? Websites - do you want them to stand in perpetuity, handed over to someone to continue on, or do you want them completely deleted? Or, perhaps, to remain for a period of time with a notice about your demise?

Emails - how many of us put emails into a special folder to separate them out in the event of our death, where these emails are ones our families may like to keep/read? Keeping letters and cards is all very well but most of us have particular emails that are important - that message you sent from a conference telling your significant other that you love and miss them could mean a lot to them once you are gone.

Taking care of your digital life involves a lot of thought and some planning. Those sites that talk about the policies that most sites have in place for handling accounts after someone has died are overlooking two important things - firstly, the policies are onerous at a time when people have enough to deal with, and secondly, it is much easier (and reliable) to simply have a trusted person given your login details and instructions as to what you want done. It's far easier to remove data if the trusted person is impersonating you with your own login/password details until they complete the tasks you give them.

It's important to remember that deceased people have no privacy and you cannot enforce privacy policies on behalf of a non-living person. This means there is no way to stop sites doing what they like with a deceased person's data (another reason an executor should impersonate you temporarily).

Giving thought to who you want to carry out these tasks is important too. If there is data that could upset people should they read it, then don't let them be your executor. If your chosen executor doesn't have great tech skills or understanding be aware that doing anything you ask of them could (a) either not be done as you planned, or (b) take them much longer than you would think - with consequential increase in costs to your estate.

Last point - if you have a separate bank account to your spouse and use online banking, you may want to consider finding a way that the login is given to your spouse asap after your death. In the event of a sudden death requiring an inquest, your bank accounts (including joint accounts) are frozen until such time as the coroner makes their finding and issues a death certificate. This can mean your spouse and family have no access to funds for some time. Inquests often take eighteen months to two years to conclude. My husband was killed on 20th December, a Thursday before Christmas. By the 27th our bank accounts were frozen. The mortgage and bills still needed paying, as did utilities and food. I had no access to funds and no credit card until after the inquest the following year. Believe me - you do NOT want to put your loved ones through that! Making your login available very quickly gives them a chance to at least get cash for the following week's food.

gnfb

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#953978 17-Dec-2013 22:49

My goodness! Thank you for such a comprehensive comment

I mentioned to a , shall we say ,somewhat Luddite friend of mine about online demise and their comment was quite , well , "whatever'. I believe most people have no idea!

I have the added complication of an online presence in other countries ,accounts etc. When th etime comes either my sister or my daughter will be my executor . I have started to take matter in hand by setting up a "My Internet Safe" on a WordPress site a private one that only I and my executors have access to.

A thought that crossedmy mind is that although they will have direct access to my accounts I suppose theoretically they should not touch them?? Once I am deceased?

Also of course the law regarding these matters is still being written

Basically all I would like to do is make it as easy as possible for my executor to turn out the lights on my Digital activity.

I was going to put internet but of course its "digital" Imagine the problems that could be casued if some thoughtless relative sold off ones laptop without wiping it !

There is an awful lot to think of here I am sure. Would be wonderful to get my hands dirty with it all ??

I did a trend search on Google for the terms

Digital Executor and Digital Beyond

They both rated highly in the usa and uk but returned an "unrecorded evidence" (or words to that effect) So I would imagine there is room to play down here in Australasia!!

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

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Gordy7

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#954038 18-Dec-2013 08:11

Interesting topic....

I did see a while back:

"Logging off after Death"

You might want to search with those key words

Gordy

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Elpie

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#954423 18-Dec-2013 16:51

I wrote an article about this a few years ago that was picked up by Australian media. I gave permission for it to be reprinted in both Australia and the UK so you might stumble across is somewhere. I will have it in archives somewhere and will post it if I come across it (read - find some time to look for it).

Another thing nobody thinks of - a silly little thing that became important to me - is phones. Our laws prevent telcos from handing over phone data, including contacts and messages. Telecom were very kind and gave me a copy of my husband's voice mail message. It is the only recording I have of his voice apart from our wedding video and because really important to both me and our kid.

Once you start thinking about your digital trails you will find there is a LOT to take care of. It's not an option to ignore this aspect of life because doing so can cause some real problems and heartbreak for those left behind.

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gnfb

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#954732 19-Dec-2013 11:54

Elpie: I wrote an article about this a few years ago that was picked up by Australian media. I gave permission for it to be reprinted in both Australia and the UK so you might stumble across is somewhere. I will have it in archives somewhere and will post it if I come across it (read - find some time to look for it).

Another thing nobody thinks of - a silly little thing that became important to me - is phones. Our laws prevent telcos from handing over phone data, including contacts and messages. Telecom were very kind and gave me a copy of my husband's voice mail message. It is the only recording I have of his voice apart from our wedding video and because really important to both me and our kid.

Once you start thinking about your digital trails you will find there is a LOT to take care of. It's not an option to ignore this aspect of life because doing so can cause some real problems and heartbreak for those left behind.

I quite agree there are a lot of things to take into consideration. I think techie people would be reasonably aware, but I'm not so sure as for the general public. Also it seems a fair few take the attitude "what do I care I will be gone!" I saw how well that worked out for my Ex-wife on the day of her mothers funeral when most of her 8 kids "raided" her house and then argued over the valuables as to who should get what, horrible!

I may put together a list of things to do and be aware of then post it here and ask for stuff I may have missed.

On a lighter note I remember seeing a film once that portrayed someone dieing. That person had assigned a "buddy" to get into his house and clear out all the Girlie magazines etc that he didn't want his mother to have to come across when she went through his stuff, good thinking

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

I have two shops online allshop.nz patchpinflag.nz
Email Me