I know all you readers think you’re going to live forever—and if you’re young enough that might even be (approximately) true—or you at least think it’s way too early to be thinking about wills and other such unpleasant matters. Nonetheless, things happen: you could contract a deadly disease, get hit by a bus, or have your life cut short by any number of other things.
If you’re reading Irreal, the chances are you have a rich digital life and that much of your data having monetary or sentimental value is stored online. If something did happen to you, would your family be able to access that data? What about your online accounts? Your investment and insurance data? Your blog or social media accounts? A recent issue of Sans’ Ouch! Newsletter addresses the issue of Digital Inheritance and the steps you should take to ensure that your family and loved ones will have access to your digital life after you’re gone.
It’s a useful exercise to spend 10 minutes listing your digital assets and taking note of which ones you would like to be available to your family if something happened to you. You’ll probably be surprised at how many there are. I know I was.
The Ouch! article is short and definitely worth taking a minute or two to read even if you’re sure you are going to live forever.