3 Aug

Family Law: What You Should Include in Digital Assets and Wills

Family Law: What You Should Include in Digital Assets and Wills

In the past, most people’s wills only included tangible assets. However, in today’s technological era, it is essential that you include your digital assets in addition to your other property.

What is a Digital Asset?

A family law attorney may tell you that almost anything you complete online or electronically is considered a digital asset. Although some of these assets may be considered more valuable than others, some of the digital assets commonly added in wills include:

  • Any online bank accounts or stock-trading accounts that you own. In your will, you should include the username and password to all of your online accounts.
  • Do you regularly update a blog or operate a website? If so, your domain name is considered a digital asset.
  • Songs contained in a digital music library
  • Your email account and the information kept in it
  • Family photos that are kept on your computer
  • Login information for your social media accounts

There are several things a family law attorney can help you do right now to protect your digital assets in case you were to pass away. For example, you can make a complete list of any electronic assets you deem valuable and update this list on a regular basis. Just like the other assets in your possession, you should tell some you can trust about this list.

Wills can also contain information about the digital assets you own and how you want them to be distributed after you pass away. If you need help revising your will to include these assets, speak to a family law attorney to provide you with guidance.