According to a recent Philly.com article, “Social Media After Death,” in many instances, management of social media accounts after an individual passes away are handled by the executor; digital assets are part of the estate, and they should be treated like other assets by the executor.
Depending on where you live, the issue of digital asset management may also be further complicated. Right now there are 19 states that have laws on the books that protect digital assets and state how they are to be handled after you die.
In addition, there are some advocates trying to standardize the manner in which digital assets are handled across the states. The Uniform Law Commission (UFC) is working on this, but until this legislation is adopted, the article suggests that you talk with an estate planning attorney. He or she will have the latest information of how a deceased’s digital assets are handled in your own state.
Reference: Philly.com (July 24, 2015) “Social Media After Death”
