Affairs in order (from a finance perspective)

AlanP_2

A few comments about passwords.

Don't forget that technically access to the relevant account ends on death of the account holder - unless it's a joint account obviously.

Time4T_Accounts

Guardianship of the children should the worst happen

Consumer3

Think about digital photos you have on your phone/tablet, for instance Apple has a ‘Legacy Contact’ feature. 

Do a search on Apple support pages for instructions on how to set up.

You can share any passwords you have set up on your devices between you, but doing the legacy contact allows you to become the legal owner of the deceased data. 

cfw1994

Ah, the “When I Die” file 💪
This kind of thing should perhaps be a sticky in this sub-section of the forums 🤷‍♂️

We have always been very open and transparent with our offspring, so I hope they will cope okay come the inevitable.
I have a constant work in progress on the document itself….built from various styles I have seen online.

AI helpfully tells us to include these (most mentioned already):

What to include in the folder

• Personal Information: Include details like your full name, aliases, national insurance number, and contact information for previous employers.
• Financial Details: List all bank accounts, investments, pension details, and online financial apps. You can also include information on insurance policies, loans, and any regular payments or subscriptions.
• Digital and Online Accounts: Note the location of important digital assets and provide instructions for accessing online profiles, email, and social media. Be cautious about storing passwords directly in the folder; instead, note where the passwords can be found (e.g., in a separate, secure digital file).
• Legal and Official Documents: Store important documents like your will, birth certificate, and passport, and note where other key items like legal contracts for storage units or safety deposit boxes can be found.
• Last Wishes and Funeral Plans: Document your wishes for your funeral and memorial services. This can include a specific burial or cremation preference, as well as any instructions for your will.
• Pet Information: Include instructions for your pets' care, such as feeding instructions, medication needs, vet contact information, and who you would like them to go to. 

Tips for creating and storing the folder

• Be Comprehensive: Aim to include everything someone would need to know to settle your affairs.
• Be Realistic and Thorough: The goal is to help your loved ones by making the process as easy as possible during a time of grief.
• Keep it Safe: Store the file in a secure location and let a trusted person know where to find it. A safe deposit box or a fireproof file could be a good option.
• Update Regularly: Go through the folder at least once a year to make sure the information is still current.
• Share Key Information: While the sensitive documents should be kept secure, you should tell your family where the folder is and who to contact if there are any questions. 

I agree that banks might be antsy about relatives logging in after your demise, but if it helps them see what is where, I don’t really mind: ours are tech-savvy enough to use it wisely.  I think 🫣

I make huge use of Google Photos, and share mine with my significant other….but I also note (thanks AI) that Google does not have a "legacy contact" feature specifically for Google Photos, but you that you can use the Inactive Account Manager to give someone access to your Google data, including your photos, after a period of inactivity. 

To set this up, go to the Inactive Account Manager page and designate a trusted contact, then choose what data they will receive (like photos from Google Photos) and the length of inactivity before their access is activated. 

How to set up the Inactive Account Manager

1. Go to Google's Inactive Account Manager page.
2. Sign in to your Google account.
3. Click Get Started.
4. Set a period of inactivity (e.g., 3, 6, or 12 months).
5. Choose Add Trusted Contacts and enter the contact information for the person you want to have access.
6. Select the data you want to give them access to, such as Google Photos.
7. Review the settings and confirm the plan. 

What the contact can do

• They will be notified via email if your account becomes inactive.
• They will receive a link to download the data you have specified.
• They can manage or download data from your account, such as your Google Photos library. 

In the meantime: live your best life 🍻

Vitor

Organ donation wishes?

Funeral wishes inc. anyone to invite for tribute, music, who to invite, wake/gathering arrangements etc.

Also get a range of coloured sticky dots and place these under any items of value to show who is to inherit.

CapricornLass

Apple allows you to nominate a person who is able to access your account after you die, so that they can sort out your account prior to it being closed down.  I was given a code, which I plan to leave alongside my will, which they can then present to Apple.

Dont know if Google offer a similar service, but it might be worth having a root round their websites to see if they do..

twopenny

I'd like to go back to guardianship which with 4 children not together the same parents/grandparents, is important.

Illness left me without parents at 14 , grandmother was one and it was important that I wasn't going to live with my uncle and his wife and children. My life would have been miserable 
A great aunt was the back up.
The two of them were brilliant and had my best interests at heart even though they were in their 60s so it's not always the nearest in age

Who would care best without stress and arguments about the situation. It's important the children are secure.

sausage_time

Consumer3 said:

Think about digital photos you have on your phone/tablet, for instance Apple has a ‘Legacy Contact’ feature. 

Do a search on Apple support pages for instructions on how to set up.

You can share any passwords you have set up on your devices between you, but doing the legacy contact allows you to become the legal owner of the deceased data. 

For the rest of us, Google does offer something similar.

https://myaccount.google.com/inactive

Set it up now!

Valli

Think about your online presence too eg what happens to facebook accounts.  

Savvy_Sue

To help with the recording, Age UK do a Lifebook, both as a free download and something you can order. 

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/end-of-life-planning/lifebook/

Think I started one and got overwhelm, must return.