By most estimates, over half of adult Americans haven’t written a will stating how their assets should be distributed after death. Fewer still have bothered to appoint someone to make financial and health care decisions on their behalf should they become incapacitated. And now we can add another necessary, but probably overlooked legal document: a social media will.
That’s right, in this age of email, password-protected accounts and social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, the U.S. Government, of all sources, recently pointed out why it’s important for people to leave instructions for how they want their online identities handled after death.
The government’s blog, usa.gov, suggests appointing a trusted relative or friend to act as your “online executor,” taking responsibility to close your email accounts, social media profiles and blogs after you die. This could easily be an addendum to your will – assuming you have one.
Suggest actions that will help you write your social media include:
• Review the privacy policies and the terms and conditions of each website where you have a presence.
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