30.04.2015 Views

Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

5. Fiduciary should change the password on all email accounts to a<br />

highly complex password to prevent unauthorized access.<br />

6. Fiduciary should access email accounts every week during the<br />

period of estate administration.<br />

7. Delete the account once the period of audit on the 706 is closed<br />

and/or the probate estate has been closed.<br />

iii. Check home and work computers for internet browser history.<br />

iv. Decide which digital assets, if any, should be preserved and how these<br />

assets will be preserved. Paragraphs e through g of this section address<br />

how to best preserve certain types of digital assets.<br />

c. Online Sales Accounts<br />

i. May include online business or sales through ebay, amazon, etsy and its<br />

related payment entities (e.g., paypal and western union).<br />

ii. Timely access to the sales account may be critical to preserve the value of<br />

the business and avoid breach of contract actions.<br />

iii. Fiduciary should arrange for completion of sales in-process at the time of<br />

death, refund incomplete sales and if desired, prevent future sales from<br />

occurring.<br />

iv. Most online sales marketplaces will allow the fiduciary to access the<br />

decedent’s account. However, the fiduciary generally may not transfer the<br />

account to another.<br />

d. Webpages and Blogs<br />

i. The decedent’s family and friends will likely know if he had a blog or<br />

personal webpage.<br />

ii. Check credit card statements and email account for evidence of hosting<br />

fees.<br />

iii. If the decedent paid for web page or blog hosting, usually the fiduciary<br />

can have the password reset and can gain full access.<br />

iv. Some free services will also re-set the password, but ask the decedent’s<br />

family if/why they desire access to the decedent’s blog. Will a copy of the<br />

content suffice?<br />

v. For an online business, contact web hosting agency to have access<br />

transferred to fiduciary.<br />

e. Social Networking Profiles<br />

i. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Linked-in<br />

ii. Most will not allow fiduciary to access account of deceased or disabled<br />

user.<br />

iii. If decedent is a public figure, prompt access to social networking profiles<br />

(if allowed) may be important for endorsement and PR purposes.<br />

13

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!