Considering Digital Tombstones
May 12, 2012 By Byrd Garrett PLLC
As part of your legacy planning efforts, you may wish to consider digital tombstones. What are digital tombstones? Essentially they are websites that allow you to assemble your personal information in one place, so your family and friends can visit it when they wish. If you're considering using such a service, there are several issues you will want to consider.
Issue 1: Your current online presence.
If you have a website, social media profile, or other online assets that contain personal information about you, it isn't always easy to know what happens to this information after you die. Some sites, such as Facebook, will archive your page and not let others change it. Other information may be widely scattered and difficult to find. With a digital tombstone you can control what you place on the site and allow others to access it as you choose.
Issue 2: Don't rely on new technology.
While a digital memorial may seem like a good idea, you should not entirely rely on them. Given the ever-changing nature of technology and the possibility that what is widely used today could become obsolete tomorrow, you should always have some sort of backup plan. You can, for example, direct that your digital family photographs get printed in hard copy form as well as stored in a flash memory device or other form of digital back-up.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jeoff Garrett
Experienced estate planning attorneys Seattle WA of the Byrd Garrett PLLC offers estate planning and business planning resources to residents of Seattle WA.
Copyright Byrd Garrett PLLC
More information about Byrd Garrett PLLC
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
If you have a website, social media profile, or other online assets that contain personal information about you, it isn't always easy to know what happens to this information after you die. Some sites, such as Facebook, will archive your page and not let others change it. Other information may be widely scattered and difficult to find. With a digital tombstone you can control what you place on the site and allow others to access it as you choose.
Issue 2: Don't rely on new technology.
While a digital memorial may seem like a good idea, you should not entirely rely on them. Given the ever-changing nature of technology and the possibility that what is widely used today could become obsolete tomorrow, you should always have some sort of backup plan. You can, for example, direct that your digital family photographs get printed in hard copy form as well as stored in a flash memory device or other form of digital back-up.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jeoff Garrett
Experienced estate planning attorneys Seattle WA of the Byrd Garrett PLLC offers estate planning and business planning resources to residents of Seattle WA.
Copyright Byrd Garrett PLLC
More information about Byrd Garrett PLLC
View all articles published by Byrd Garrett PLLC
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
