Why you shouldn't overlook your Facebook account in your will

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As the digital world takes hold of our waking lives, everyone needs to give some thought to what will happen to our online life when we're no longer around.

Our digital assets can be far more complicated to deal with at death than stocks, bonds and cash.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and email are not only used to connect with others but also as a way to store personal and financial data, meaning we leave less of a paper trail than before.

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Few of us consider how such media will be accessed if something were to happen to us. Here are a few things to think about:

Make a list of all your online accounts

It could include PayPal, eBay, Dropbox, Netflix or Spotify or news subscriptions.

If you feel comfortable, leave passwords for somebody you trust as this will make it a lot easier to cancel ongoing payments, accounts and subscriptions if you pass away, because they won't need to contact the businesses with a death certificate each time.

Appoint a "digital executor"

This doesn't have to be the same person you put in charge of the rest of your estate - it will depend on their comfort with technology.

Plan ahead

Have a plan for what will happen to your accounts such as Facebook if you pass away.

Would you like your accounts to be deactivated immediately? Or do you want to leave your passwords for someone you trust to memorialise your pages?

Some recommend writing a "social media will" with your wishes and attaching this to your legal will.

The digital world is a quickly changing environment, so it is best to revisit your digital estate plan regularly.

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