If your loved one has embraced use of a cell phone, tablet, or other digital device, it has likely facilitated caregiving and communication. In fact, much of your relative’s day-to-day life may happen online. It’s convenient: bills get paid online. Subscriptions renew automatically. Photos live in the cloud.
But there’s a downside. If your family member gets sick, has a stroke, or otherwise can’t handle logins, you could end up stuck, unable to access what you need in order to manage their affairs at the worst possible time. Illness doesn’t pause the Internet bill. “I know they had an account somewhere” isn’t enough when services must be canceled, transferred, or paid.
What to know. Even if you have a password, companies often require proof and paperwork before they’ll help you close, transfer, or access an account. Each company has its own rules. It’s wise to research them and get organized now to prevent major stress and legal roadblocks down the line.
What to do. Work with your loved one to avoid future overwhelm.
- Make a short list of their essentials: primary email login, phone carrier, banking/bill-pay information, utilities on autopay, and subscriptions.
- Sort out phone access. Know the passcode or where it is stored.
- Create one “home base” for all passwords and related information, such as a folder, notebook, or secure digital file. Tell one other trusted person where it is. Store a copy in a secure second location.
- Look for built-in “legacy tools” on phones and online accounts, including social media. These allow limited access after a death.
- Plan for paperwork. Consider having your relative create a digital will, which documents digital assets and how to access them after death. Know that many companies require a death certificate and proof of your role to gain access.
If you’re unsure what’s appropriate in your situation, a conversation with an estate-planning attorney can help.