20 September 2011

Digital Inheritance

"You may have decided who will get your house, your money, your pension, or your collection of jelly moulds.  But who gets the right to your Facebook page, your Twitter address, or your website?  Lawyers are beginning to grapple with these new problems.


One firm, Thomas Eggar, has produced standard clauses to put in wills to ensure that individuals can transfer authority over these items to their heirs.  Otherwise they may simply disappear.
Copyright in your photographs, writing and emails lasts for 70 years after you die (thanks to Sir Cliff Richard! - previously it was 50 years but the ageing rocker pushed for this to be improved), so make sure your solicitor puts clauses in your will to preserve and protect them. 
Passwords may also cause problems.  How will anyone access your computer files or your online accounts if they are locked behind a password?  You should put all your passwords into a letter and keep it with your will lodged with a solicitor in a sealed envelope labelled 'to be opened on my death'."


See: www.thomaseggar,com and search for digital legacy.


Article taken from Saga Magazine: www.saga.co.uk/money


Or just put them in a safe place in your house perhaps?  What do people think?

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