All of us increasingly rely on online accounts and electronic devices. Many of us own assets that exist only in electronic book entry form or are stored on an electronic device, including social media accounts, photographs and online bank accounts.
What happens if I can’t access my accounts because I’m incapacitated or if I die?
Many states have enacted laws to provide automatic authority to an agent under a power of attorney, or a personal representative under a will, to access and manage these electronic assets.
As of now, Pennsylvania has not enacted a statute to solve this dilemma.
Pennsylvania residents should make sure that their powers of attorney, wills and trusts contain language to authorize an agent under a power of attorney or a personal representative under a will to gain power over and access to this digital information.
The lawyers in Barley Snyder’s Personal Planning Group would be happy to review your existing documents to make sure that someone has access to your electronic footprint if you are unable to access this information for any reason. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on how to start this process.
