Have you designated someone to have access to your online accounts after your death?

Electronic account successors are not only important, sometimes they are imperative. Many individuals have stopped printing photos and instead archive them on Facebook, Google and/or other online storage sites.

Many people are unaware than online accounts will not release account information to a relative, or even a power of attorney, in the event that the original account holder did not appoint a successor or legacy contact. The easy way to solve the problem is too either ensure that your trusted person always has current login and password information to your accounts, or to appoint the successor account holder through the onsite account provider.

Facebook refers to successor account holders are Legacy Contacts.

Legacy Contacts can be added, changed, or removed in your Facebook account’s General Settings. The legacy contact must also have an active Facebook account.

FROM YOUR COMPUTER:

1. On the top right of the screen, click on the down arrow, right of the bell icon for notifications.
2. Select Settings & Privacy > Settings.
3. Click Memorialization Settings.
4. Click Add or Edit
5. Type in a friend's name in Choose a friend and click Add.
6. Click the checkbox under the “Data Archive Permission” section.
7. To let your friend know they're now your legacy contact, click Send.
8. To change or remove a legacy contact, follow steps 1–2 above, then click Remove. From there, you can add a new legacy contact if you'd like.
9. If you’d prefer that your Facebook account be deleted after you pass away, you can select that option which is offered just above the <Close> button at the end of the section.
10. If your account is memorialized, your legacy contact will be notified.
11. Note: You must be 18 or older to select a legacy contact.

FROM YOUR PHONE:

1. Go into your Facebook app.
2. At the bottom right of your screen, touch the three horizontal lines icon.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and touch Settings & Privacy -> Settings
4. Scroll to the “Your Facebook Information Section” and then select Account Ownership and Control.
5. Click Memorialization Settings.
6. Click Add or Edit
7. Type in a friend's name in Choose a friend and click Add.
8. Click the checkbox under the “Data Archive Permission” section.
9. To let your friend know they're now your legacy contact, click Send.

GOOGLE ACCOUNT

1. Google handles this process under the category of Inactive Account Manager
2. Sign into your personal Google Account on either your computer or your phone.
3. Click on your photo or icon.
4. Underneath your name and email account, you will see a Manage your Google Account button. Click it.
5. Click Data & Personalization from the menu on the left of the screen.
6. Scroll down to the Download, delete, or make a plan for your data section.
7. Click Make a plan for your account.
8. Follow the instructions from there.

We hope this information is helpful to you and yours!