Online Afterlife

Virtual Asset Checklist

Information from Samuels Yoelin Kantor Seymour & Spinrad in Portland:

• Make a list of all of your accounts and passwords.  

• Figure out how each company handles accounts if you die.

• Decide if you want a personal representative to handle the accounts after you die.

• Figure out which accounts you want to have deleted and provide written instructions to your representative.

• Consider saving the account info and password on a CD and memory stick and store it in a safe place.  Give your representative instructions on how to access this information.  Change the information as passwords change (there are programs that can help you keep track of passwords and usernames).

• If you have pictures or other items stored on the internet, consider making a back-up of that info to a disk drive or CD that you control.  Sore in a safe place and provide your personal representative with written instructions on how to access it.

• You may upgrade your power of attorney to include provisions authorizing your agent to access your e-mails and other electronic data.

• If someone other than your personal representative is being designated to handle your electronic data, then those people should be named in your will or other estate planning documents.