So, what happens to your online world when you die, and should somebody be allowed to shut down any online accounts you have?  A professor at George Washington University has estimated the average adult has 20-25 online accounts.

Some of these accounts are, of course, just foolishness, but some could have financial significance, such as online banking and investment accounts.  While a few states, including Virginia, have enacted laws to help bypass the privacy issues, who wants to hire a lawyer just to deal with online accounts, when it can be done quickly and simply by your friend or executor?

What should you or your spouse or your parents do?  A retired financial planner has prepared a spreadsheet to capture that information for the benefit of your heirs or successors.  I will be mailing a copy to my clients.  If you would also like a copy, just email us at [email protected]  (If you would like to follow his excellent blog on the overlapping subjects of estate planning and elder care, you can do so at http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com)

Yes, Virginia, there is an after-life . . . digital and otherwise!