People preparing estate plans and wills should now include clear instructions about what should happen to their social media, computer games and other online accounts after their death, according to the Law Society of England and Wales.
Having a list of all your online accounts, such as email, banking, investments and social networking sites will make it easier for family members to piece together your digital legacy, adhere to your wishes and could save time and money.
Not making your digital legacy clear could mean important or sentimental material - such as photographs on social networks - is never recovered, warns the Society. Digital assets can also include music, films, email accounts and computer game characters.
Gary Rycroft, a member of the Law Society Wills and Equity Committee, said people should not assume family members know where to look online and to make details of their digital life absolutely clear.
“If you have a Twitter account, your family may want it deactivated and - if you have left clear instructions - it will be easier for your executors to have it closed. If you have an online bank account, your executors will be able to close it down and claim the money on behalf of your estate,” he explained.
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