We are currently offering consultations via in-office appointment, phone, and video. Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you!

Google Helps Users Determine Fate of Digital Data

Google Helps Users Determine Fate of Digital Data

Many residents of Los Angeles choose to make comprehensive estate planning a top priority so that when the individual passes on, surviving loved ones are not left to sort out complex legal challenges. Death is always difficult for a family, but the emotional toll can be compounded by legal disputes.

An experienced and skilled attorney can assist an individual in all aspects of estate planning. An area that many individuals often overlook in their estate planning is the handling of digital property following the individual's passing.

In an effort to easily assist more individuals express their after-life wishes regarding some digital data, Google recently revealed a dashboard that enables a user to indicate what he or she would like to happen to their digital data. With this new capability, users can specify for data to be passed along after death to multiple named recipient. In addition, users can also specify for some or all of the data to be deleted.

This data can include emails, cloud storage, pictures and so much more that could be precious to a family following the passing of an individual. Without proper planning, meaningful digital memories can be lost.

A Google employee says of this new capability, "We hope that this new feature will enable you to plan your digital afterlife -- in a way that protects your privacy and security -- and make life easier for your loved ones after you're gone."

A more comprehensive plan about an individual's digital legacy can be devised with an estate planning attorney. Such a desire is an evolving need based on our modern society. A skilled estate planning attorney can guide an individual through various means that work to arrange legal instruments to also secure finances, plan for the end and so much more.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, "Google Lets Users Plan 'Digital Afterlife' By Naming Heirs," Geoffrey A. Fowler, April 11, 2013

Categories