Question:  I know I should leave the passwords for my computer / files / email / social media with my estate plan.  What is the best way to do this?

Answer:  Store a list of your important passwords somewhere safe that isn't on your computer.

More and more people are using their computers to store their important, personal information.  For example, if you use financial accounting software, it may be next to impossible to settle your estate without being able to access that information.  However, because of the sensitive nature of this information, you may have your files computer password protected.  Also, things like your social media accounts and your email may need to be accessed after your death.  Sure, your family can spend hundreds of dollars to hire an expert to decrypt your information, but the better solution is to leave your passwords somewhere that your loved ones will find.

The goal is to keep your passwords secure during your life, but readily accessible after that.  Here are some options we suggest:

• Put a list of all of your passwords and accounts in your estate planning portfolio.  When you keep everything together in one central location, it makes it much easier for your loved ones to follow your instructions and wishes.

• Put a list of your passwords and accounts in your safe deposit box.  If you don't have one, ask the lawyer to drafted your Will to store it with your client file.

• Tell your personal representative or spouse about your passwords and accounts.

• Don't include your password in the text of your Will.  You may have to change your password, which would then require […]
  

Question:  I want to access the email account for my deceased loved one.  How do I do this?

Answer:  In many cases, you can contact the email provider and provide them some information demonstrating that you should have access to the account.

During the difficult time after a loved one passes, it is easy to forget about some of the small things, like accessing your loved one's email account.  In a perfect world, your loved one would have left their email information and password in a safe place for you to find, perhaps even with their estate plan.  However, people often overlook small details like these when preparing their estate plan.

If you cannot locate your loved one's email password, you can likely gain access by contacting the email provider.  The email provider is whoever is listed after the @ symbol in the email address.  Most email providers will turn over email account information to the deceased's next of kin with sufficient proof.

• Google's Gmail requests a death certificate, a document giving you power of attorney over the person's affairs and the full header of an email sent to you by the deceased's account.  You will also have to provide your name, address, email address and a copy of your photo identification as well as the deceased's email address.  For more information see: http://tinyurl.com/6mu6jcn

• Microsoft's Hotmail also requires a death certificate, a document giving your power of attorney or showing that you are the personal representative (executor) of the deceased's estate.  You will also need to provide the deceased's email address, first and last name, date of birth, the city, state and zip the person gave […]