I've said it before and I'll say it again, protecting your digital assets is just as important as your bank accounts, shares and home! Perhaps not to the same financial scale but in the emotional impact on the friends and family you leave behind on your death.

STEP clearly agree as they have launched a campaign to encourage people to protect their digital memories. The key take-aways are to update your legacy settings and talk to your friends and family.

Updating legacy settings

I mentioned in my last article that many service providers had in-app processes (or equivalent) to allow you to direct what happens to the information contains in it on your death. STEP have collated the most up to date information about what these processes entail for Facebook, Google, Apple, LinkedIn and Twitter, which you can find here. It's useful, but not exhaustive so make sure to think about your personal situation and what might be required.

Talking to friends and family

STEP have published a guide which is a really helpful starting point to encourage open conversation. The more your executors and family know about your assets (including online accounts) the easier it will be for them to deal with on your death. It's not an easy conversation but it is vitally important. 

If you have any concerns about what might happen to your accounts on your death, contact your legal adviser for advice on how best to manage this.