The Wi-Fi Password Nobody Knows
You're going to die. Probably not soon, but definitely eventually. Your family is going to be in a hospital parking lot googling your passwords.
Six months after her husband Mike died, Pat, 54, from Portland, was still locked out of his personal Gmail, which had the login for their joint brokerage account. She had a court-appointed executor letter, a death certificate, and three denied requests from Google.
What Happens to Your Digital Life When You Die?
When you die, your family may not be able to access your digital life, including your Wi-Fi password, due to lack of planning and outdated laws. RUFADAA §4 states that a fiduciary (such as an executor) has the right to access a deceased person's digital assets, but this law is not uniform across all states. In plain English, this means that your family may not be able to access your email, social media, or other online accounts without going through a lengthy and costly legal process.
RUFADAA §4 gives a fiduciary the right to access a deceased person's digital assets, but this law is not uniform across all states.
Why You Can't Just Tell Your Spouse Your Passwords
Some people think that simply telling their spouse their passwords is enough, but this is not a reliable or secure solution. What if your spouse forgets the password or passes away before you? What if you have multiple spouses or partners over the course of your life? Telling your spouse your passwords is not a substitute for proper estate planning.
For example, Mike had told Pat his password for their joint bank account, but he had not updated the password in years, and Pat had forgotten it. When Mike died, Pat was unable to access the account, even though she had the executor letter and death certificate.
Telling your spouse your passwords is not a substitute for proper estate planning.
What You Can Do This Weekend
This weekend, take some time to organize your digital life and make sure your family can access your accounts if something happens to you. Start by making a list of all your online accounts, including email, social media, and banking. Then, use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass to store your passwords securely. Finally, consider setting up a legacy contact with your email provider, such as Google's Inactive Account Manager or Apple's Digital Legacy program.
Adding a legacy contact does NOT mean your spouse can post as you, read your DMs, or download your messages. It means that your spouse will be able to access your account and manage your digital legacy after you pass away.
Use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass to store your passwords securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse access my Gmail if I die?
It depends on the state you live in and the specific policies of the email provider. Some email providers, like Google, have a process in place for accessing a deceased person's account, while others may require a court order.
What is RUFADAA?
RUFADAA (the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act) is a state law that lets your executor request access to your accounts. However, this law is not uniform across all states, and some states have their own laws governing digital assets.
How do I store my passwords securely?
You can use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass to store your passwords securely. These services use encryption and two-factor authentication to protect your passwords and keep them safe from unauthorized access.