Many don’t think about dying, or what happens to their stuff after they die.
However, some do.
Everything usually goes to your spouse if you die when you’re married. But if you’re not married, you’re possibly causing a legal situation for your loved ones who have to sort through (or fight over … and steal) your goodies.
Many of us, even if we haven’t completed a binding Last Will and Testament, have probably told a loved one what we want done with certain items after we die. Maybe a sister or brother would like this, or a child or in-laws should get dibs on that. Perhaps a collection of music or collectibles are to be divvied up between nieces and nephews.
You get the picture. You have probably had similar talks.
Some things that are usually not considered—though definitely should be—are your digital collections.
These days, more and more is bought digitally and can be stored on your computer, on a flash drive, in external storage, or in a cloud. There are gigabytes or terabytes of goodies and collectibles to consider leaving to loved ones.
Items to think about that you may own:
- Family photographs and artwork in photo albums in Flicker, Google Photos, SnapFish, or ImgBB
- Family videos at Youtube, Vimeo, uFile.io, EasyUpload, OneStream, or WeVideo
- Your MP3 collections in your music.YouTube, Amazon Music, Bandcamp, or Beatport
- Your ebooks and textbooks in Google Play Books, BN’s Nook, or Amazon Kindle
- Music, movies and ebooks perhaps stored on Onedrive, Google Drive, pCloud, and Box
- Your stocks on brokerage websites like Stash, Robin Hood, and Penny Stocks
- Your digital currency on Coinbase, Gemini, Coinsutra, Paxful, and Luno
- Games on various internet platforms: GOG, Epic, Steam, Ubisoft, and Xbox Live
- Your comic books on Comixology, Marvel, DC Universe, CrunchyRoll, and MyComicShop
- Your automated payments and subscriptions on Paypal or through your credit union
There are many more websites and digital properties that you own that can be considered in extended lists, and some that may no longer be applicable by the time you read this essay. However, you should be making a list, jot down your password to these sites, and store it in a secure place.
Every year or so, pull it out and double-check its accuracy.
After all, you spend a lot of time and money accumulating these items that have some value. You might as well be able to pass them on.
You’d hate to think that big corporations got your money and no one else would be able to utilize those goods. That money spent would be more of a waste than needed.
Steve Dustcircle 