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I recently lost a very close relative to COVID. A tragedy, of course. But what happened after could have been worse.
Here’s a small thread for those of you with aging relatives or if you’re responsible for a loved one’s affairs after they pass away. 1/
Here’s a small thread for those of you with aging relatives or if you’re responsible for a loved one’s affairs after they pass away. 1/
NOW is the time to get them to put down on paper how they live – online and off. Wills, living wills, health care directives, burial wishes, and power of attorney documents are only the beginning. It’s also the age of the “digital will.” 2/
Think about your loved ones’ digital existences. There is a crapload of information you will need to know when the time comes, and you need to get it stored in a safe place, preferably offline. 3/
Will you be able to access their computers? Phones? Other devices? Hard drives? Email addresses? You’ll need their logins, codes, usernames and passwords for them all. (Of course, these can change frequently; regular updating is required). 4/
Keep in mind things like two-factor authentication or security where you’ll need access to more than one device. You may need to verify that you’re authorized to view online accounts if you try to login from an unrecognized device. 5/
What bills do they pay online? Are some on regular autopay? Paid through a bank account, credit card, or on other websites? Investments? Insurance? What about online memberships/subscriptions/services that charge annual or monthly fees? 6/
Do they store documents/photos/videos/content in the cloud? Or locally on a computer or other device? Important documents might be impossible to get to quickly, or at all, if you don’t know how or where they’re stored. 7/
What social media services do they use? Do they own/run URLs, websites, blogs, or other online entities? You need access to those accounts as well in order to close them if you desire. 8/
