#37 - What Lies Beyond Probate?
Reluctant Executor News
Your parents have a will or a trust. Beneficiaries are set. They shared info about their investment and banking accounts. You know it's going to be a difficult time when they die, but not because of settling their estate. That part will be smooth.
Well, unless you've talked to them about things beyond wills, trusts, and major assets, you're in for a surprise. There is another level to closing an estate, beyond probate, that causes lots of stress for families. The posts below talk about two of these areas, digital accounts and pets.
LinkedIn post from June 13, 2023
How much critical information is on your laptop or phone?
Does your family know the credentials for your devices?
If not, all of that information could be lost if you die.
Microsoft, Google, and Apple all prioritize account security, even for the deceased. This means that they will not easily, if at all, give you a user's credentials or access to their data.
In some cases, they claim that they cannot enter the user's account even if they wanted to.
In other cases it takes a court order AND clear instructions from the deceased that a specific person should be granted access upon death.
What's all this mean?
Digital estate planning is just as important as regular estate planning. A number of companies offer digital lockers, which are ways to share passwords after you die. However, you should always start with the basics.
Make sure you know your family's laptop and phone passwords. Next, consider a password manager. This way you only need to share one password, and your family will have access to all your online accounts.
If you have ever been locked out of a family's device, were you able to eventually gain access?
Click here to comment or like this post on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn post from February 2, 2024
One of the most overlooked aspects of legacy planning is who will take care of your pets.
A story in the local news today highlighted some programs in Central Texas that rehome pets of hospice patients. This is a great reminder that not only do your dogs and cats need to be looked after, but also pets like lizards and fish.
With pets, there are 2 critical things to keep in mind. First, make sure others know about your pets. It's easy to see a dog run up to you, but a cat may stay hidden if people they don't know well enter their home. Also, a fish tank or vivarium (for lizards) may not be so obvious if someone isn't looking for it.
Second, others need to know how to care for your pet. This is especially true for non-typical pets like lizards or other reptiles. Do they get special food? How often do they get fed? Does your cat go for a daily walk on a leash? Remember that pets will experience stress too with changes after a loss.
The full story is on KXAN’s website.
Click here to comment or like this post on LinkedIn.
Estate Organization
Thinking about what lies beyond probate can be scary. As an After Loss Professional, I help families find and document this information. When you have this starting point, you reduce the stress and worry that these tasks cause.
Schedule an Estate Organization call with me to get help knowing what critical information you'll need beyond probate.