Digital Legacies in a Digital Age
Plymouth based law firm, Gill Akaster LLP, is bringing its wills service into the 21st Century by including digital assets and ownership – covering everything from twitter accounts, to Facebook, websites and PayPal accounts.
Around four in five people own digital assets, but only nine percent have considered how they pass these on when they die*. This would mean twitter and Facebook accounts would remain live, personal or company websites would be left stagnant and payment sites like PayPal left open.
In a pioneering step, Gill Akaster LLP has incorporated a new element to its wills, allowing clients to leave details of any online accounts, login details and directions for their executor after their death. Following initial sign up, clients will be prompted to update these details annually to ensure they remain up to date.
Jonathan Hall, partner of Gill Akaster LLP and head of the wills, trusts & taxes department, commented: “With an increasing number of services and facilities accessed online people have to consider what will happen to these if the worst happens.
“This has been particularly topical recently due to the prominent issue of ‘trolling’, where so called trolls write negative and inflammatory posts on social media pages, particularly Facebook, after deaths or accidents. This is very upsetting for relatives and friends.
“The increased use of cloud storage has meant the amount of information online has increased, but it can be harder for the executor of your will to access this data. Any investments made, either in time or money, are effectively lost after the individual passes away – it is important that the relevant log in details and passwords are left with the executor to allow these to be dealt with accordingly.”
The wills, trusts and taxes department is implementing this new service with immediate effect. This department is one of seven specialist divisions in Gill Akaster LLP which encompasses commercial, residential conveyancing, personal injury, employment, dispute resolution, family and wills, trusts and taxes.
Jonathan Hall Takes Wills to a Digital Level