Emergency Planning

Your spouse is in the hospital. Your elderly mother had a stroke. Your teenager lost their phone with two-factor authentication codes for their college applications. In these moments, the last thing anyone should be doing is guessing passwords or calling customer service. Yet most families have no family digital emergency plan. Here’s how to create […]

Your parent forgot their banking password again. Their email is locked. The streaming service wants verification they can’t provide. If this sounds familiar, you’re watching the early signs of a digital crisis that affects thousands of families every day.   Technology was supposed to make life easier, but for many aging parents, it’s become a

Sarah’s dad passed away suddenly, leaving behind 12 years of Facebook memories:  family photos, birthday messages from grandchildren, and connections with old friends. When she tried to access his account to preserve these memories, Facebook’s response surprised her: “We can either memorialize the account or delete it. You can’t log in either way.” She wished

Lisa spent three months trying to sort out her father’s finances after he passed away. Despite being named executor, she couldn’t access his online account to see automatic payments or pending transfers. This experience highlights the common challenges families face with online banking accounts after death when proper preparation hasn’t been done.   When someone

When Rebecca’s father died suddenly, the family discovered 20 years of irreplaceable photos locked in his iCloud account. His iPhone was password-protected, his MacBook required his fingerprint, and Apple wouldn’t provide access despite death certificates and estate documentation. “We lost thousands of family memories because Dad never set up Digital Legacy contacts. Apple told us

This information is not legal, financial, or tax advice. This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Digital asset laws and company policies are complex and subject to change. You should consult with a qualified professional, such as an estate planning attorney, to address your specific situation. When Mark’s father died, the family discovered

Your parent’s Google account holds 15 years of Gmail conversations, thousands of family photos in Google Photos, important documents in Google Drive, and serves as the login for dozens of other websites. When they die, Google doesn’t automatically grant family access, even with a death certificate. Here’s what actually happens and how to prepare.  

Picture this: You’re at your parent’s home after they’ve passed, trying to cancel appointments and pay bills, but you can’t even access their email. Sound familiar? You’re not alone, and there’s a way to prevent this nightmare.   Most adult children will face this challenge. Today, the average person has over a hundred online accounts