Why It Is Time to Start Addressing Your Digital Estate Planning Needs

 Posted on April 14, 2023 in Estate Planning

A 2021 Pew Research Center Survey revealed that just shy of one-third of American adults describe their Internet usage as being online “almost constantly.” Roughly half of the respondents indicated that they go online at least several times per day. This means that, if you are like more than 75 percent of your peers, you spend a great deal of time interacting with the world electronically. If your estate plan does not reflect that reality, it is time to start updating your documentation.

What Is Digital Estate Planning?

In a nutshell, digital estate planning involves setting your digital affairs in order in the event that you pass away or become incapacitated due to illness or injury and can no longer advocate on behalf of your own interests. Digital estate planning may address any electronic assets, access, and intellectual property, from photos stored in the Cloud to email accounts, online banking to every text that is stored on your phone.

Why Is Digital Estate Planning So Important?

There are two primary reasons why, regardless of your age and health status, you will want to start digital estate planning now. First, chances are good that you do not want just anyone poking around in your digital footprint and managing password-protected accounts, etc. however they please. Digital estate planning will help you to control who can access your online presence and how it will be managed in the event of death or incapacitation.

Second, if you do not take proactive steps to outline your wishes, the nature of your digital assets, and how to access your accounts, your loved ones will be left with a downright digital headache if/when something happens to you. They will have enough to deal with if you are in a coma or have passed away. You will not want to burden them with unraveling your digital estate without guidance too.

Connect with a Knowledgeable Wheaton, IL Estate Planning Lawyer to Learn More

Laws concerning digital estate planning are consistently evolving, partially because this area of law is so new. By working with the client-focused team of Wheaton, IL estate planning lawyers at NN Legal Group, you can benefit from an experienced and invested professional approach to your estate planning needs. You will also benefit from our team’s ever-evolving knowledge on the subject, which will help to ensure that your digital estate planning efforts remain relevant and enforceable well into the future.

To learn more about our firm’s approach to the estate planning process, you can call 630-474-0925 or reach out via our website’s contact page to schedule a confidential case evaluation at no cost.

As you do not know how long you will have before your estate plan becomes urgent business for your loved ones, it is important not to delay the process of setting your affairs and interests in order. It is a daunting task, but we are here to help. We look forward to speaking with you.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcarlson/2022/07/27/new-estate-planning-rule-dont-leave-an-electronic-mess/?sh=6c32283c332f

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/03/26/about-three-in-ten-u-s-adults-say-they-are-almost-constantly-online/