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What Happens to Your Digital Estate After You Die?

BY Jeffrey N. Rosenthal
November 02, 2014

Ever wonder what happens to your social media accounts, e-mail, online texts and other digital content when you die? Do they simply expire, leaving nothing behind but digital dust? Or can you authorize someone to take them over after you pass on? And if so, what powers would such a person possess?

In response to such quandaries, tech giants Facebook and Google have created systems to deal with death ' such as suspending inactive accounts, and creating online memorials. But these steps only address part of the problem.

This novel issue was recently confronted by the Delaware legislature, which became the first state to pass a uniform statutory scheme granting fiduciary trustees full access to a decedent's online accounts and digital content, just as they would with more tangible assets. If this trend continues, more people may be able to confidently plan for the disbursement of their digital estate.

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