Dealing with a loved one’s digital assets and online accounts after they pass away can be a daunting and confusing process. With more and more of our lives conducted online, most people now have dozens of online accounts for social media, email, financial services, subscriptions, and more. When someone dies, these accounts and the personal data contained within them remain out there in cyberspace unless the appropriate steps are taken to delete or memorialize them.
Closing down a deceased person’s online accounts can feel overwhelming for surviving family members who may not be familiar with all the accounts their loved one held. The number and variety of accounts the average person has underscores the importance of planning ahead with a digital estate plan. However, even without prior planning, there are steps you can take as next of kin to deactivate accounts according to the deceased’s wishes and protect their digital legacy.
Why Close Accounts of the Deceased?
There are several important reasons why you should deactivate a loved one’s online accounts after they pass away:
Protect privacy and security
Leaving a deceased person’s accounts open leaves their personal information and conversations accessible. This can lead to identity theft if the accounts fall into the wrong hands. Closing accounts protects the privacy of the individual and their contacts.
Prevent unauthorized account use
Sometimes scammers will gain access to accounts of the deceased and impersonate them to take advantage of contacts. Shutting down accounts prevents criminals from utilizing them.
Manage digital assets
Online accounts may contain digital assets such as photos, videos, documents, and more that hold sentimental value. Deleting accounts can risk losing these assets forever, so it’s important to first back up anything you want to retain.
Stop automated messages and charges
Open accounts may continue sending the deceased automated emails and app notifications. They can also continue racking up subscription fees and other automatic charges. Cancelling accounts halts these unnecessary emails and charges.
Adhere to the deceased’s wishes
If the individual left behind instructions for handling their digital assets, closing their accounts can help carry out their wishes for protecting privacy or distributing assets to heirs. This gives the deceased control over their digital legacy.
How to Locate a Loved One’s Online Accounts
Before you can delete a deceased person’s online accounts, you first need to identify what accounts they held. Here are some tips for locating their online presence:
Check their email
Log into the deceased’s email account(s) with their password or through account recovery. Search their inboxes for account registration and confirmation emails which will indicate where they held memberships.
Ask close friends and family
Contact those close to the deceased to see if they’re aware of any online accounts and can provide login details. Friends may know about social media profiles or gaming platforms.
Search by name
Google the person’s name and keywords like “Facebook” or “Twitter” to find any public profiles they had. You can also search name variations or pseudonyms.
Look for apps on their devices
Check their smartphones, tablets, and computers for any apps and bookmarks related to accounts. These devices may auto-fill account passwords.
Try account recovery
For popular platforms like Facebook and Gmail, use the account recovery process. Provide info like their phone number or prior password hints to access their account.
Check their physical records
Look through their mail, financial statements, and other paperwork for any mention of account info. This may indicate online banking, subscriptions, etc.
How to Close Accounts With Proof of Death
Most online platforms require official documentation to verify someone’s death before closing their accounts. Here are the steps to deactivate accounts with proof of death:
Obtain the death certificate
Request several official copies of the death certificate from the funeral director or medical certifier. Many platforms require a scan or photo of the original.
Prepare account login information
Gather any account usernames, passwords, and login details if you don’t already have access. Some platforms grant the next of kin access if you provide a death certificate.
Contact each platform’s support team
Look up the account deletion process for each platform and how they handle accounts of the deceased. Reach out to support teams via email or their contact form.
Submit required documents
Follow the platform’s specific instructions for providing copies of documents like the death certificate, your ID, and any other forms. Completing their deletion request process can close the account.
Delete or memorialize content
On accounts with valuable content like social media, consider downloading content first. Then choose to delete the account or memorialize/deactivate it into a legacy mode.
Track account closures
Keep a list of all accounts you attempted to close and confirm their closure via email notifications. Follow up if you don’t receive confirmation an account has been deactivated.
How Next of Kin Can Access Accounts
Depending on the platform and location, the deceased’s next of kin may be able to directly access, delete, or memorialize accounts if they provide documents to verify their identity and relation. Here are some common options for accessing a deceased person’s accounts:
Digital estate planning docs
If the deceased authorized a digital executor in a will or estate plan, the named person can manage accounts with documentation.
Power of attorney
Someone designated power of attorney status by the deceased may be able to directly close accounts on their behalf.
Providers granting next of kin access
Facebook, Google, Yahoo, and other platforms allow immediate family members to close accounts with death certificates.
Probate court order
A executor named by a probate court can gain legal authority to access accounts through a court order.
Consent forms
Some providers have consent forms the deceased can fill out to pre-authorize account access for a designated individual after death.
| Platform | Proof of Death Needed | Account Options for Next of Kin |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate | Memorialize account or permanently delete | |
| Gmail | Death certificate + authorization forms | Download data then delete account |
| Death certificate | Permanently deactivate account |
Tips for Closing Financial Accounts
Financial accounts like banking, loans, investment, and retirement accounts warrant extra care when handling after death. Here are some best practices:
Pay outstanding debts first
Settle credit card balances, loan payments, and any other debts from financial accounts before attempting to close them. Avoid abandoning accounts with debts.
Roll over retirement accounts
Transfer retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs to a beneficiary rather than cashing them out. This maintains tax-advantaged status.
Notify insurance providers
Life, health, and other insurance policies may pay out benefits to beneficiaries after death. Contact them promptly to begin the claims process.
Consult a financial advisor
For complex accounts, work with a financial advisor or attorney to ensure accounts are distributed properly according to wills, trusts, and account holder preferences.
Watch out for fraud
Be on guard for any suspicious account activity suggesting identity theft and notify institutions immediately of suspicious transactions.
Alternative Options If You Can’t Close Accounts
If you run into challenges closing a deceased person’s accounts directly, you have a few options:
Report unauthorized charges
If accounts remain open accruing subscription fees or fraudulent charges, report these to the institutions to dispute the charges and request account closure.
Cancel associated payment methods
Removing stored payment methods like credit cards from accounts can prevent future unwanted charges even if accounts remain open.
Rely on account inactivity
Over time, inactive accounts at many platforms will be automatically deleted from their systems. But don’t rely on this for sensitive accounts.
Delete apps from devices
Removing any account-related apps from the deceased’s smartphones and computers can limit access even if the actual accounts remain active online.
Utilize account memorialization features
Where available, convert accounts into memorialized legacy versions that remove sensitive data but preserve history.
Contact providers again
Keep trying provider customer support if your initial attempts to close accounts fail. Escalate the issue if needed.
Preparing Your Own Digital Estate Plan
To make account closure easier on your loved ones after your death, the best thing to do is create a complete digital estate plan. This should include the following elements:
Record of all accounts
Keep a secure list of all your online accounts and logins so your digital executor has easy access after your death.
Named digital executor
Designate a trusted individual and backup executor in your will to manage your digital assets and accounts.
Legal digital estate documents
Formalize your wishes in your will and other documents per your attorney’s guidance for a legal digital estate plan.
Account closing instructions
Provide specific guidance on which accounts to delete and which to memorialize or transfer to heirs.
Digital asset distribution list
Document what digital assets like photos or documents you want distributed to heirs along with any associated accounts.
Conclusion
Closing down a loved one’s online accounts is an important but often challenging part of settling their estate. By understanding the account closure process for different platforms, gathering the right documentation, and employing patience and persistence, you can successfully handle their digital affairs. Protecting privacy, managing assets, and adhering to their wishes makes the effort worthwhile. With more forethought through digital estate planning, individuals can greatly simplify account closure for loved ones in the future.