Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2015 | Page 145

LEGAL Help from Glanvilles By Jennifer Pollitt Glanvilles LLP, The Courtyard Office, Newport, PO30 5BF 01983 527878 [email protected] Wills and your digital assets F acebook recently reported 1 billion users in one day alone. With an increasing number of us on social media and other digital assets and information online belonging to us, it is now important to consider what happens to it all in the event of our death. Typically Wills cover personal ‘chattels’ (i.e. personal items and belongings) so this could well already cover your laptop or mobile phone and maybe what’s on it. What about online content such as your contacts, emails and photographs on social media profiles such as Facebook? For some it will be important to preserve and pass on because the content has private or sentimental value, or maybe monetary value. However, access can then pose a problem. Take an example: Facebook publish that they do not give out passwords following the death of a user. ‘Verified immediate family members’ can request the removal of the account or it is possible to ‘memorialise’ an account – leaving it open but without the ability for anyone to log in. As it happens, Facebook now allows you to add a ‘legacy contact’ within your settings, i.e. someone who can retrieve photos, but what about other institutions? Furthermore, as someone’s executor (the person appointed to deal with all the assets) you have certain duties. This includes preserving assets and not gaining control over some online accounts, digital devices etc, could pose a risk to security and leave the estate open to fraud. As an executor you also want to ensure that you are not technically committing any offence by forcing access to any accounts, even with the best of intentions. It is therefore now important to consider the following when making a Will: • What digital assets, accounts, devices etc. do you have? Making a note. • Who receives these ultimately? • What would you want to happen with digital accounts? • Do they have what they need to gain access and control? Maybe even making a note of passwords etc. These matters can be easily addressed by a codicil to your Will or a separate letter of wishes left with the original Will. Glanvilles solicitors can help you update your Wills. For help regarding this or any other legal issues you may have, contact Glanvilles on 01983 527878 www.goilife.co.uk 145