Check out this great article from Melanie Pinola at the NY Times and Wirecutter from October 2, 2019. We have heard so many stories from families and corporate trust groups dealing with digital assets following someone’s death, and the thing we hear over and over again: even a little bit of advance planning can make a huge difference.
We love the helpful ideas in this article, especially the suggestions to use dead-man switches and RUFADAA online tools. But, professional fiduciaries will recognize that these suggestions are only the first step. Thoughtful planning and preparation must also include appropriate legal advice and documentation — if loved ones do not have the legal authority to access digital assets, they may be prevented from accessing them or risk legal liability by accessing them on their own.