Prepare a digital estate for shutdown with a digital executor, and other tips

Shutting down a digital estate, particularly one’s social media accounts, is important, as these accounts contain sensitive information such as credit card numbers or other private details that could be compromised and used in one’s name.

Help protect private information by taking steps to ensure that online accounts for you or the person you’re planning for are closed appropriately. Below we’ve described some of the steps involved:

• Appoint a digital executor

  A digital executor is different from an executor, who carries out the will of a deceased person. A digital executor is someone who is legally entrusted with closing or handling online accounts upon an individual’s passing. A section in one’s will may be devoted to naming a digital executor, who will have access to all online accounts after a death. Importantly, this does not have to be the legal executor. The digital executor is responsible for handling online accounts according to the directions listed in the will. We recommend appointing a close friend or family member as a digital executor, and making sure that they willingly agree to be the digital executor. For more on digital executors, please click here.

• List all online accounts

  The best way to ensure that a digital executor handles all online accounts correctly is by documenting all online accounts. Although it may be difficult to recall the details of accounts that were created many years ago or for one-time use, try to get every account listed out and figure out how you or the person you’re planning for would like them to be handled by a digital executor. 

• Use a password manager

  Password managers such as LastPass safely centralize all account details so that a digital executor knows how and where to obtain account information. You can also include instructions on how to deal with each account.

• Check if accounts have post-death features

  Some applications such as Facebook and Gmail have integrated features meant specifically for situations where someone is no longer active on their accounts. Google’s Inactive Account feature allows a person to detail a plan for what will happen to their account if they suddenly cannot use it any longer. Additionally, Facebook has a “memorialization” feature which designates a friend to access and make posts using your account when you pass away. Check out each account platform’s help section to see what’s available.

When the time comes to close down online accounts, keep in mind that we do offer a service where someone can fill out a 5-minute form to remove personal content from the internet that could potentially be upsetting and expose the decedent or their family to identity theft. 

We handle Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, eBay, email, and online dating accounts.

To make sure that everyone can afford this service, we charge only $29.99. If you or the person you’re planning for are interested, get started here.