Most major tech companies now have some kind of digital legacy feature, but hardly anyone uses them because hardly anyone knows they exist.
Google calls theirs “Inactive Account Manager.” You can set it up so that if you don’t log into your Google account for a specified period (3, 6, 12, or 18 months), Google will automatically give access to trusted contacts you’ve designated in advance.
Apple has “Digital Legacy” for iCloud accounts. You can add up to five legacy contacts who can request access to your account after you die (they’ll need to provide a death certificate).
Facebook lets you designate a “legacy contact” who can manage your memorialized account.
Microsoft has a “next of kin” process for Outlook and other accounts.
These features exist because tech companies realized that digital assets are real assets that families need to access. But they don’t activate automatically – you have to set them up while you’re alive and able to manage your accounts.
The process usually involves:
- Identifying trusted contacts
- Providing their contact information
- Deciding what level of access they should have
- Making sure they know they’ve been designated
It’s not complicated, but it does require a few minutes of setup for each service. And you have to remember to update your legacy contacts if your relationships change.
But once it’s set up, your family will have official, legitimate ways to access your accounts when they need to. No guessing passwords, no calling customer service, no hiring lawyers.
Just proper access through proper channels.
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