The Coronavirus is a reminder, plan for the unexpected

Life Happens Fast

While life is moving along at its "normal" cadence, it is easy to fall into a false sense of security. Bad things happen to other people, in other places, and will not affect me or my family and loved ones. Then, at a moment's notice, life hits like a ton-of-bricks. Car accidents, unknown health issues, the loss of employment, the end of relationships are all examples of life quickly reminding us that there are many things out of our control.

COVID-19, a reminder and the world disrupted

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), or COVID-19, has quickly impacted the entire world. As of February 13, 2020, COVID-19 has spread to 120 different countries across the world (Vara, V., 2020). We first learned of the virus on Dec 31, 2019 (ncbnews.com, 2020); within just a few month's time, the virus has impacted everyone in the world to some degree, no matter where they live or how much money they have. Travel restrictions, closed schools, social distancing, supply chain disruptions, we are all having to adjust and adapt to this situation that is changing at a daily rate. Life happens fast, and does not take our schedules and plans into consideration. COVID-19 is serving as a wake up call for us all; we must learn to prepare for the unexpected.

The End of Your World, Your Family is Disrupted

Death comes for us all, and like COVID-19, we do not get to choose when that is. When your time ultimately does come, the daily lives of your family and loved ones will be immediately affected. Their normal routine will come to an abrupt halt to plan, prepare and to execute your final arrangements, as well as to say goodbye. They will be filled with stress, extreme emotions and a deep sadness that may make them want to isolate themselves, but they need to keep moving to honor you and your last chapter. You can take action, today, to protect them and make this difficult time a little easier.

Be prepared for the unexpected, plan for your Digital Death and Digital Estate

As technology has become a main component to most aspects of our lives, we are constantly building a digital footprint. Take a moment to think about all the different aspects of your daily digital life:

• Online accounts and passwords
• Photos
• Documents
• Banking
• Shopping (credit cards)
• Your different devices

Those are just some examples of what could be an endless list. In our current society, we need to consider what happens to our digital lives when we pass (our digital death). Digital Estate Planning is now becoming a requirement during your estate planning process.

What is Digital Death?

Digital Death is the process of planning and taking action to control what happens to your digital information, as well as controlling who will receive the information, documents, photos and account passwords when you pass.

What is your digital estate?

Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging, during a person's life, for the management and disposal of that person's estate during the person's life and at and after death, while minimizing gift, estate, generation skipping transfer, and income tax (Wikipedia, 2010). Digital Estate Planning is an expansion of this common process. Estate planning can make things easier for your loved ones after you pass. You can think out how you'd like each part of your life settled - accounts and debts, property, funeral arrangements, etc. Your digital property is no different.

Be Prepared

Take control, and make sure you are ready for your last and biggest unexpected event. Your action today will ensure your protection and peace of mind by making sure your loved ones get the documents, photos, and files you intended for them in an organized manner, all while protecting them from cyber crime, and protecting your legacy.

So, If you died today, would you and your family be protected?

Did you know that In 48 hours, your unaccounted for digital footprint can cause your loved ones tremendous burden, stress and expense, all while leaving your entire life and legacy forever tarnished. "I am dead, why should I care, what is the worst that can happen?":

• Hacked: Within 24 hours of death, your device(s) can be hacked leading to identity theft, your bank and financial accounts being drained and stolen credit card numbers.
• Assets: Organize your files, photos and passwords now, or your loved ones may not find them, causing your digital and offline life to be frozen for 18 months or more in probate, adding more stress and expense during this hard time.
• Legacy: Protecting your legacy can be difficult. You could have items that you do not even realize on your devices, and without context, could forever change how your loved ones, colleagues and those important to you will remember you.
• Work files: You have a responsibility to make sure your sensitive work files are securely transferred and cleaned.

According to AARP, it can take six months for financial institutions, credit-reporting bureaus and the Social Security Administration to receive, share or register death records. When you consider that timeframe and that cybercrime is now more profitable than the global illegal drug trade, your digital estate is the perfect target for criminals. We must now consider, protect and organize our digital lives in preparation of our digital death.

Final Security is a digital estate planning company that protects your digital estate through our three main services:

• Info Vault: Users can collect files, photos, account information and passwords in our encrypted Info Vault to be transferred to their designated beneficiary upon death.

• Device Cleaning: Registered devices will be wiped clean, ensuring the user passes on only the information they want to share.

• Social Media Cleaning: Users can arrange to have their social media accounts deleted, protecting their loved ones and securing their digital legacy.

How at risk is your digital estate?

Use our Digital Estate Risk Assessment Calculator to understand your risks and how to properly handle them. You will get your free personalized digital estate planning report in just a few minutes.

Start Your Free Assessment

Coronavirus timeline: Tracking the critical moments of COVID-19. (2020). NBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/coronavirus-timeline-tracking-critical-moments-covid-19-n1154341

Vara, V., Vara, V., & Vara, V. (2020). Coronavirus outbreak: The countries affected so far. Pharmaceutical-technology.com. Retrieved from: https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/features/coronavirus-outbreak-the-countries-affected/

Estate planning. (2010). En.wikipedia.org. From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estate_planning