When it comes to our digital lives, most of us don’t think about what will happen to our online accounts after our demise. But what happens to our digital estate is just as important as what happens to our physical belongings.
What is a digital executor? Choosing an executor is one of your most crucial decisions when creating your estate plan. That’s because the executor is the individual you pick to carry out your estate plan after you pass away. This is the individual you entrust with distributing your assets according to your instructions in your will, as expressed in your estate plan.
Just like we appoint executors to take care of our physical assets, we should also have someone we trust to manage our digital estate. But how do you choose the right person for the job?
Choosing the perfect digital executor is not always an easy task. There are many things to consider, from their fees to their experience and qualifications.
What is a Digital Will?
A digital will is a legal document that specifies your wishes for your online accounts and assets, enforced by a digital executor of will. It can include instructions for managing your accounts, who should access them, and what should happen to your belongings after you pass away. You can create a digital will using Clocr.
What if I don't have a Will?
If you don’t have a will, your digital executor will still be able to manage your online accounts and assets. However, they will not be able to dispose of your belongings unless you have specified your wishes in another legal document. Ensure to discuss your wishes with them so that they can carry out your instructions correctly.
What work does a Digital Executor do?
A digital executor is responsible for managing your online accounts and assets after you die. This includes everything from social media accounts to online banking and financial records. They will need access to all your passwords and login information to do this.
The work of a digital executor can be divided into three main categories:
- Managing your online accounts
- Accessing your digital assets
- Disposing of your digital belongings
1. Managing your online accounts
Your digital executor will need to close or delete all of your online accounts and any accounts linked to yours. This includes email accounts, social media accounts, and online banking or investment accounts. They will also need to change the passwords for these accounts so that no one else can access them.
2. Accessing your digital assets
Your digital executor will need access to your digital assets, including photos, videos, documents, and files. They will need to be able to transfer these assets to your loved ones or dispose of them according to your wishes.
3. Disposing of your digital belongings
Your digital executor will also be responsible for disposing of any unwanted or unneeded digital belongings. This includes deleting old emails, closing unused social media accounts, and removing any personal information from your computer or other devices.
How to Get Started with a Digital Executor?
There are many things to consider when choosing a digital executor. Here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind:
- Their fees
- Their experience and qualifications
- Their ability to follow your instructions
- Their availability
- Their relationship with you
1. Their fees
You should first consider the fees charged by the digital executor. Some executors charge an hourly rate, while others charge a flat fee. Make sure you know how much they will charge before you make your decision.
2. Their experience and qualifications
You will also want to consider the experience and qualifications of the digital executor. Please make sure they are familiar with all of the online accounts and assets that you have. They should also be qualified to deal with any legal or financial issues that may arise.
3. Their ability to follow your instructions
It is vital that you choose a digital executor who can follow your instructions. This means they should be able to understand your wishes and carry them out accordingly. Ensure to discuss your wishes with them before making your decision.
4. Their availability
Another thing to consider is the availability of the digital executor. They should be available when you need them and be able to respond to your requests in a timely manner.
5. Their relationship with you
Ambiguous questions may present themselves at this juncture. Can an executor and beneficiary be the same person? Ideally, you should consider the relationship between you and the digital executor. Ideally, they should be someone you trust and feel comfortable with. This will make it easier for them to carry out your instructions and make decisions on your behalf.
What Types of Property Can a Digital Executor Distribute?
Your digital executor can distribute any type of digital property, including photos, videos, documents, and files. They can also dispose of unwanted or unneeded digital belongings. This includes deleting old emails, closing unused social media accounts, and removing any personal information from your computer or other devices.
Qualities of a Digital Executor
When choosing the qualities needed for a digital executor, here are some qualities to look for:
- They should be qualified to deal with any legal or financial issues that may arise.
- They should be familiar with all of the online accounts and assets that they have.
- They should be able to follow your instructions faithfully.
- They should be available when you need them and be able to respond to your requests in a timely manner.
- They should be someone you trust and feel comfortable with.
Who Should be My Executor?
The role of the digital executor is to manage your online accounts and assets according to your wishes. This includes distributing your belongings, deleting unwanted accounts, and removing personal information from your devices. They will also be responsible for closing your account with Clocr.
You can appoint anyone you trust as your digital executor. This can be a family member, a friend, or even a professional service. Make sure you discuss your wishes with them in detail so that they can carry out your instructions properly.
When appointing a digital executor, you will need to provide them with some basic information about your accounts and assets. This includes the username and password for each account and any other relevant login information. You should also specify what you would like them to do with your belongings. For example, you may want them to delete certain accounts or files, or you may want them to distribute your belongings to specific people.
Do We Need Two Executors?
You may have a broad range of digital assets and may not want to designate a single Digital Executor to handle them all. If you’d like each person responsible for different aspects of your digital estate, you can create multiple Digital Executors and define the digital assets you’d want them to be in charge of.
Making the decision
Choosing the right digital executor is an important decision. Take your time to consider all of the factors above before you make your choice. Choose someone who you feel comfortable with and who you know will follow your instructions faithfully.
Creating a digital will
To create your digital will, you must provide basic information about your accounts and assets. This includes the username and password for each account and any other relevant login information. You will also need to specify what you would like to happen to your belongings after you die. For example, you may want them to be deleted, distributed to specific people, or donated to charity.
Once you have created your digital will, you can appoint a digital executor to carry out your wishes. You will need to provide them with the necessary credentials to execute the stipulated actions They will then be able to access your account and manage your online assets according to your wishes.
Conclusion
If you decide to use the Clocr service to create a digital will, you will first need to sign up for an account. Once you have done this, you can begin creating your will. Creating a digital will is simple. You can do it yourself using the Clocr service or appoint someone else to do it for you. Either way, it is vital to make sure that your wishes are carried out correctly. Choose someone you trust as your executor and ensure they are familiar with your online accounts and assets. You will have to provide them with your Clocr account credentials to execute the will.
Creating a digital will is essential to protect your online identity and assets. It can also help simplify closing your accounts and distributing your belongings after you pass away. If you have not created a digital will, now is the right time to do it.
