With so much of our everyday lives now being paperless, and paper trails no longer existing in the way they used to, it is difficult for people to identify every account that someone has. It is especially problematic when you also include our online accounts. In fact, in a YouGov survey in 2015, it found that over 50% of people wouldn’t be able to access the account of someone who has died. Documenting this information not only means that you have a record of it, but also that your most trusted people can access it at a time when it is needed.

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When surveyed, 75% of people said their children wouldn’t be able to access their online accounts when they died and over 50% of people saying their partner wouldn’t have access.

Furthermore, 20% of bereaved families, found it too difficult to locate and deal with the online accounts and so didn’t bother, which means this digital content could be lost forever*. What if you were to become incapacitated? Or would like someone else to manage your finances? Would your trusted people, loved ones, deputies or attorneys be able to access your online accounts to manage your affairs?

There are potential issues that may arise without proper planning;

• Will your loved ones know what online accounts you have?
  You may incur costs (subscriptions) if not all online accounts are known. Or maybe you have investments you would like to be passed on? What is the worth of your online accounts?
• Will your loved ones know what to do with them?
• Do accounts need to be closed? Social media accounts closed or memorialised, software uninstalled? Images stored?*

* Information is taken from www.pwc.co.uk/cyber-security/insights/digital-lives-we-value-our-digital-assets-at- 25-billion.html.

Online Accounts helps you to list your online accounts in a document called a Memorandum of Wishes. This document can be added to your Will, your Lasting Power of Attorneys and accessed by your trusted people. Not only can you list your online accounts but you can also set out what you would like to happen to them.

For example, would you want to memorialise your Facebook account or allow access to your photos and images.

The document ensures your loved ones have all the information they need to manage your digital assets when needed. A copy of the document is automatically added to your DigiFile, ensuring your trusted people can access the latest version.

While you have capacity you can discuss your treatment directly with your doctors and jointly map out a treatment plan. However, if you were to be taken to hospital unconscious or are unable to make decisions yourself, temporarily or permanently, due to certain conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia; your doctors, after discussions with your loved ones, would make treatment decisions for you.

Although medical professionals have a legal and ethical obligation to act in your best interests, they don’t know all of your beliefs, or if you have strong views about particular situations. You may not have had a chance to discuss these with your loved ones either. By drawing up a Living Will, you’re providing reassurance about your wishes and removing some of the burden from your family or friends, who will be making decisions on your behalf at a time which could be extremely emotional for them.

You may have made or heard of a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). A registered Health and Welfare LPA helps your loved ones with decisions on the type of healthcare you may need, day to day issues or if residential care is needed for example. There is an option within a Health and Welfare LPA which gives your attorneys the power to refuse/consent to life sustaining treatment. However, it does not allow you to give guidance, conditions or help them make these decisions based on what you would want and in what scenario.

A Living Will and Advance Statement, combined with a Health and Welfare LPA, makes sure all of your health decisions are thought about now, ready for the future.

Why use this tool?

• Is quick and easy
  
• Is not just a form to fill in; it guides you in a logical and manageable way without jargon.
  
• Allows you to access your Living Will when you want, add new information whenever you need and update it as and when.
• Produces your Living Will instantly; a copy of the document is automatically added to your Filing Cabinet, ensuring your trusted people can access the latest version.
• Gives you the ability to print and sign your Living Will at your convenience, with detailed instructions on how to do so.

Don’t forget to store your signed Living Will with your Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney. You can also include what is known as an Advance Statement which sets out general preferences that you would like to be considered by medical or care staff, and may include statements about your religious or spiritual beliefs, how you would like to be supported, food preferences and your daily routines. Ask us for more details on making an Advance Statement.

Write your Living Will for £60.00 and don’t forget to ask for help at any time by clicking the ‘Need Help’ button.