What do you want to happen to your Social Media when you’re no longer around?
Here is something I guarantee you have not previously considered - what happens to your social media accounts when you pass away? Making your Will is an ideal time to think about your ‘online self’ alongside your ‘real’ assets and preparing for times when you are no longer around.
Below is a guide to some of the most popular social media sites and their policies.
Facebook has an option that allows you to plan what you would like to happen to your account when you die.
Memorialised Accounts
This does not delete your account, but rather allows your family and friends a place to remember you. Facebook notes that memorialised accounts have the following attributes:-
- The word ‘remembering’ is shown before your name;
- Friends and Family can share memories on your Timeline;
- Content shared by you can still be viewed;
- You will no longer appear in events happening on Facebook (such as ‘birthdays to remember’); and
- No-one can log onto the account.
However, most importantly, you can appoint a legacy contact who can be the ‘administrator’ of the page (for example, to respond to friend requests, write a pinned post and amend your photo). They cannot read your messages, delete/change photos/posts or delete your account.
Your legacy contact can download a copy of your account, which will include all of your photos and posts.
Deleted Accounts
If a Memorialised account is not for you, you can choose to have your account permanently deleted. This deletes all related content, pictures, posts etc.
IfIDie.net
Although not an option though Facebook officially, IfIDie is an innovative app that allows you to leave a final message to your loved ones through your Facebook Page. It also allows you to choose legacy contacts.
The only option for Twitter is to have your account deleted, and this is can only be done by the Executor of your Will, or an authorised and verified family member. Interestingly, your Twitter account can also be deactivated if you become incapacitated.
Again, like Twitter, Instagram does not have a comprehensive policy. If you die, your Executors or family members have the choice to keep the account online, or to delete it entirely. It may be worth leaving your log in details with a trusted family member, so that they can save desired photographs before deleting the account, if this is what you wish to happen.
LinkedIn, SnapChat and YouTube
Worryingly, the only way to close any of these accounts appears to be to log in (with your username and password) and delete your account. Again, as long as you are happy to give your details to a trusted family member or friend, this is not a problem. Otherwise, we advise you contact the company for further advice.
With the ever growing world of social media (at last count, some 2 billion Facebook users!), make sure you speak to a member of the expert Wills and Probate team at Lawson-West about your Social Media accounts and how to deal with them on your death, or the death of a loved one.
Call us on 0116 212 1000 / 01858 445 480 to book an appointment in Market Harborough, Wigston, Leicester or at your home.
View all
