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Jessica Hultberg, CFP®
Apr 30, 2024 | 9 min read
When you think about estate planning, your mind probably goes straight to wills, trusts, and retirement accounts. But in today’s digital age, what about the vast digital trail we leave behind—our irreplaceable photos, cherished messages, and important files?
Our smartphones and computers hold so much of our personal and even financial lives. Yet, without a specific plan, your loved ones might find themselves locked out of that crucial information exactly when they need it most.
Here in Central Ohio, where family-centered planning is a cornerstone of life, understanding how to manage your digital estate is just as vital as planning for your physical assets. It’s about ensuring your complete legacy is protected.
What Is a Legacy Contact?
A Legacy Contact is a person you formally authorize to access your digital data after you pass away. Think of it as a digital executor for your online world. This includes a wide range of important personal data:
- Text messages and emails: Communications that might hold sentimental value or vital information.
- Photos and videos: Irreplaceable memories of family events, vacations, and everyday life.
- Notes and saved files: Everything from personal thoughts to important documents.
- Downloaded apps: While the apps themselves might not be transferable, data within them could be.
- Contacts and calendar events: Important connections and reminders that help organize life.
Without this simple setup, even a spouse or adult child would typically need a court order to gain access to your mobile device or online accounts. This process is not only time-consuming but can be incredibly emotionally taxing, especially during a period of grief.
How It Works on Apple Devices
If you’re an iPhone or other Apple device user, setting up a Legacy Contact is surprisingly quick and easy, often taking just a few minutes:
- Open Settings, then tap your name at the top.
- Go to Sign-In & Security.
- Tap Legacy Contact.
- Tap Add Legacy Contact and choose a trusted person from your contacts.
- Crucially, share the unique access key with that person and advise them to keep it in a safe place, perhaps alongside other important documents.
When the time comes, your designated Legacy Contact will need two things to access your data:
- The unique access key you provided.
- A copy of your death certificate.
Access is granted via Apple’s Digital Legacy – Request Access page or directly through an updated device.
Setting a Legacy Contact on Android (Google Account Setup)
Android users can achieve a similar level of digital protection through Google’s Inactive Account Manager. This feature allows you to plan what happens to your data if your Google account becomes inactive for a set period.
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Visit your Google Account Settings.
- Click Data & Privacy in the sidebar.
- Under “More Options,” select Make a plan for your digital legacy.
- You can then choose an inactivity period (options include 3, 6, 12, or 18 months).
- Select who will be notified and what data they can access (e.g., Gmail, Google Photos, Drive, etc.).
This thoughtful setup ensures that your digital data can be passed on securely and legally, based on your preferences, avoiding complex and often stressful legal proceedings for your loved ones.
Why This Matters for Families in Dublin, Powell, and Beyond
Your phone likely holds invaluable memories and critical information. Think of those cherished photos from your kids’ birthday parties at Coffman Park, important contacts for your estate attorney in Worthington, or even personal reflections written in your Notes app. Ensuring a trusted loved one can access that data is a profound and final act of care.
At Keeler & Nadler Family Wealth, we consistently encourage our Central Ohio clients to think holistically about legacy planning. It’s not just about managing money; it’s about providing peace of mind, clarity, and dignity for your family during difficult times. Protecting your digital footprint is an essential part of that comprehensive approach.
How to set a Legacy Contact (iPhone):
- Go to Settings, then tap your name.
- Tap Sign-In & Security.
- Tap Legacy Contact.
- Tap Add Legacy Contact.
How to set up a Legacy Contact (Android):
- Sign in to your Google account
- Go to Google account settings.
- Click Data & privacy in the sidebar.
- Click More options.
- Select Make a plan for your digital legacy and click Start.
- Choose whether you want your Google account to be set as inactive after 3, 6, 12, or 18 month
FAQs About Digital Legacy Planning
Q: Does a traditional will include my phone or online accounts?
A: Typically, no. Most traditional wills don’t automatically include specific digital devices or online accounts unless they are very explicitly mentioned. Setting up a Legacy Contact (or Google’s Inactive Account Manager) is designed to specifically fill this crucial gap.
Q: Can I assign multiple Legacy Contacts?
A: Yes! Apple allows you to designate more than one Legacy Contact. Similarly, Google’s Inactive Account Manager lets you choose multiple trusted contacts to notify and grant access to after a period of inactivity.
Q: What happens if I don’t set one up?
A: If you don’t establish a digital legacy plan, your loved ones will likely face significant hurdles. They would need various legal documents, and possibly even court approval, to gain access to your devices and accounts. This can cause unnecessary delays, stress, and financial burden during an already difficult time.
Start Protecting Your Digital Legacy Today
Planning for your future doesn’t stop with paper documents and financial accounts. A few taps on your phone or clicks on your computer today can save your family days, even weeks, of stress and uncertainty tomorrow.
At Keeler & Nadler Family Wealth, we are dedicated to guiding you through comprehensive legacy planning—from retirement and estate strategies to ensuring your digital safeguards are in place.