Time For A Digital Will

So you might have made a will, got it registered, given someone you trust a copy to keep safe and told your family just where they can lay their hands on a copy. You’ve made sure that you’ve listed all your worldly possessions with clear instructions of what should be done with them. All very well, but have you thought of making a digital will as well? Or adding a bit to your regular will so it includes your virtual assets?

The time has come for all of us to realize that we have a presence both in the physical as well as the virtual world. In cyberspace, we have our email accounts, our pictures, our websites, our PayPal accounts or any other accounts where we might hold our money. Many of us have Google AdSense accounts, Amazon and eBay accounts, etc. If we suddenly have to shuffle off this mortal coil, we need to pass on our passwords and accounts to someone so they can deal with them. They might need to inform the sites concerned that you are no more and they might have to shut down some accounts.

Passing on email accounts to someone after us also helps in keeping our memory alive. First off, it is convenient for the person concerned to inform everyone you might know. Then, it is also easy for them to keep tabs on mail that comes in and to deal with it, something that can cause a lot of problems if someone suddenly dies and no one knows how to access his mail. When it is someone very close, it also helps to keep in touch with people who were close to that person. Recently, a hubber I only knew virtually passed away and I was touched when his wife wrote to me to inform me. Not only could I be informed, I could also write to her with my condolences.

For many of us, death is something that we prefer not to think about. However, one can make things so much easier for the loved ones left behind with a little preparation. In this day and age, don’t forget to add the digital angle to your will. It doesn’t take too long to do it and you don’t need to show it to anyone before you die if you value your privacy. After you’re gone, though, your family will bless you for it.