In today’s digital age, managing your online presence is more important than ever—even after you’re gone. Naming a legacy contact ensures your Facebook account is handled according to your wishes. Some other social media platforms will memorialize an account. Others only allow you to delete an account after someone has passed away. This guide will walk you through the steps to set up a legacy contact on Facebook. Additional instructions are provided for deleting other platforms.
If you need an estate plan or need to update your current one, please contact Cornerstone Legal at (517) 708-2222 or Katrina@CornerstoneLegalPLLC.com.
Understand the Purpose of a Legacy Contact
Before diving into the naming process, it’s essential to understand what a legacy contact is and what responsibilities this person will hold. A legacy contact can help manage your account, allowing them to memorialize it, communicate with friends and family, and manage any aspects you choose to leave behind. This may include photos, memories, or important messages you want to share.
Choose the Right Person
Selecting the right legacy contact is crucial. Think about individuals who understand your values and would respect your wishes. This could be a close friend, family member, or someone you trust implicitly. Here are some qualities to consider:
- Trustworthiness: They should be dependable and respectful of your digital life.
- Familiarity with Technology: Ideally, they should be comfortable navigating digital platforms and possess an understanding of your online presence.
- Emotional Strength: This person will be managing your account during a challenging time. Choose someone who can handle the responsibility with sensitivity.
Discuss Your Decision
After you’ve identified a potential legacy contact, have an open and honest conversation with them. Explain what being a legacy contact entails and why you’ve chosen them for this important role. This discussion will prepare them for the responsibility and ensure they feel comfortable accepting this role.
Document Your Wishes
Once your legacy contact is named, consider documenting your wishes. This could include:
- Instructions on what to do with your account: Specify whether you want your account to be memorialized, deleted, or transferred to someone else.
- Sharing important information: You might include details about your digital accounts, passwords, or any other sensitive information they may need.
- Your preferences for content sharing: Whether it’s posts, photos, or memories, outline how you would like these to be handled.
- Include instructions in your Estate Plan/Will: Contact your estate planning attorney to update your information to include your Legacy Contact wishes.
Update Regularly
As life changes, so may your preferences for a legacy contact. Regularly review and update your choice as needed. Life events such as new friendships, changes in circumstances, or even the passing of your chosen legacy contact may prompt you to select someone else. Keeping your digital legacy plan current is key to ensuring it aligns with your wishes.
How To Officially Name Your Legacy Contact – Step-by-Step Instructions
- Log in to Your Account: Open Facebook and enter your login credentials.
- Go to Settings: Click on your small profile picture in the top right corner. Select “Settings & privacy.” Click on “Settings.”
- Search Memorialization: In the search bar at the top of the left-hand column, type “memorialization”
- Select the Account: A window will pop up. Select the Account you want to assign.
- Select Memorialize or Delete After Death
- Search and Add Friend: Enter the name of the friend you want to designate as your legacy contact.
- Click “Add”
- Confirm your choice by clicking “Send.” A message box will appear with an auto-generated message. You can edit it or send it as is.
You cannot add a legacy contact to an account after someone dies. The legacy contact can only be chosen by the account holder. Memorial accounts that don’t have a legacy account can’t be changed. If your loved one did not assign a legacy account, you can request memorialization for a profile by completing the memorialization request form.
Removing the account:
Immediate family members may request the removal of a loved one’s account. Facebook requires that you provide information to confirm you’re an immediate family member of the account holder or Personal Representative of their Will. The easiest way to do this is to provide a scan or photo of your loved one’s death certificate. To remove a Facebook account, send Facebook a request.
Instagram does not have a legacy contact option, but you can make their profile into a memorial page.
Memorialized accounts on Instagram have the following key features:
- No one can log into a memorialized account.
- The word Remembering will be shown next to the person’s name on their profile.
- Posts the deceased person shared, including photos and videos, stay on Instagram and are visible to the audience they were shared with.
- Memorialized accounts don’t appear in certain places on Instagram, like Explore.
Once memorialized, no one will be able to make changes to any of the account’s existing posts or information. This means no changes to the following:
- Photos or videos added by the person to their profile.
- Comments on posts shared by the person to their profile.
- Privacy settings of their profile.
- The current profile photo, followers, or people the person follows.
Removing the account:
Verified immediate family members can request the removal of a loved one’s account from Instagram.
To request your loved one’s account be removed, you can fill out this request form. When you submit a request for the removal of an account, Instagram will require proof that you are an immediate family member of the deceased person, such as your loved one’s birth certificate or death certificate, or proof of authority that you are the lawful representative of the deceased person (or their estate).
Twitter (X)
Twitter does not allow accounts to be memorialized. Twitter will remove the account of someone who has died if contacted by an immediate family member or Personal Representative of the estate.
You can request the removal of a deceased user account on their website. After you have submitted a request, Twitter will email you with further instructions and will request:
– Information about the deceased
– A copy of your ID
– A copy of the deceased’s death certificate
For security reasons, Twitter is unable to provide a family member or friend access to the deceased’s account.
LinkedIn does not allow for a legacy contact. Fill out this form to request deactivation.
Pinterest requires an email with proof of death and proof of relationship to the deceased attached.
YouTube
To close a YouTube account, a loved one must fill out this form and attach scans of a death certificate and his or her ID. That form can also shut down a Google account since Google owns YouTube.
Snapchat
Snapchat does not currently offer any special options or policies for handling a user’s death. The only way to remove an account is to log in and delete it.
Final Thoughts
Naming a legacy contact is an empowering act that reflects foresight and care for those you leave behind. It acknowledges the importance of your digital footprint and ensures that your online presence is managed thoughtfully after your passing. By selecting the right person and communicating your intentions clearly, you can create a plan that honors your legacy and supports your loved ones in their time of need. Take this step today, and embrace the peace of mind that comes with knowing your digital life will be handled with the respect and love it deserves.
If you have not created an Estate Plan or would like help updating your existing documents, give me a call at (517) 708-2222 or email me at Katrina@CornerstoneLegalPLLC.com.
