As times change, more of our assets are intangible. In some cases, you may not have planned to have as many online and cloud-based assets, but for many, the convenience often overtakes the objections.
Tangible assets feel simpler to distribute in an estate plan. The object is clearly yours, and there is no concern over whether you continue to have rights to it after you pass away.
This is what you should know about your digital assets and their impact on your estate plan.
Just Because You Bought It Doesn’t Mean It’s Yours
Whether you have a long list of digital movies or your cloud accounts are full of your favorite books, the fine print for what is yours to give away after death can be uncertain. Depending on the service, some agreements include clauses that the digital products you purchase are not transferable.
When you are deciding how to handle your digital assets, it is essential to understand what you can and cannot do. Pay attention to whether you have downloading rights. In most cases, if you transfer a digital asset to something tangible, you gain the ability to transfer ownership of the CD or other physical media to another person.
Help Your Family Help You
In the process of navigating a digital world, it is common to have dozens of accounts and a long list of passwords to go with them.
As you are working on your estate plan, it is vital to compile a list of your accounts and passwords so your family can easily access your accounts when you pass away. Your estate plan should include where to find the passwords list so that your family has access to your accounts.
While they do not take up space in your home, it is crucial to address your digital assets in your estate plan. Even if you are not able to pass on specific digital assets, you will need to give your family instructions on closing your accounts.