The Legal Light Justin Stack Remember to leave current device passcodes with executors of wills You've made your will, had it witnessed and all appears to be under control. You believe your estate will go to the persons you want it to go to. But there is one big hitch. Your digital devices contain vital information on your financial and social records, but you didn't leave current passwords with the executor of your will. Sandra Jeremy, lawyer at Stacks Law Firm, says it is very important for people making a will to make certain that somebody, preferably the executor of the will, has an up-to-date list of all the passcodes to be able to access digital devices after a person's death. "Much of our lives are now recorded on digital devices like mobile phones, through our banking apps, authentication tokens, photos, notes, documents, memos, messages and even draft wills," Ms Jeremy said. "Eighty per cent of Australians own a smartphone. These are inaccessible without a passcode or biometric lock, such as Face ID or Touch ID. These biometric locks are virtually impossible to open after death, and without knowing how to unlock the smartphone, everything stored in the digital world inside cannot be accessed. "Banks and email providers also often require two authentication codes from a digital device, such as the name of your first pet or make of car. Without them, family members or executors of a will can't gain access." Ms Jeremy says executors may need material kept on digital devices, such as draft testamentary documents, voice notes, texts and messages that may be essential in dispensing will requirements, especially if a will is being challenged. "A sole trader or business owner will often have invoicing apps, client files and business records kept on their mobile phone that would be needed in deciding the division of business assets. "Access to mobile phone records could also be very important for family, who would want the photos and messages stored on the phone." There are several ways to manage this information. You may set up what is known as a legacy contact within your device. This is the same for iPhones and Android. You can set up an Inactive Manager in your Google account. Passwords may change over time. A good option is to use a password manager that your executor can access; otherwise the document will need to be updated each time a password changes. There have been several costly court cases involving disputes where a deceased recorded their inheritance intentions on their phone. These were subsequently challenged, as they were not signed by appropriate witnesses as required by law. STACKS LAW FIRM Sandra Jeremy Lawyer No Win, No Fee Conditions apply 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life The Legal Light Justin Stack Remember to leave current device passcodes with executors of wills You've made your will , had it witnessed and all appears to be under control . You believe your estate will go to the persons you want it to go to . But there is one big hitch . Your digital devices contain vital information on your financial and social records , but you didn't leave current passwords with the executor of your will . Sandra Jeremy , lawyer at Stacks Law Firm , says it is very important for people making a will to make certain that somebody , preferably the executor of the will , has an up - to - date list of all the passcodes to be able to access digital devices after a person's death . " Much of our lives are now recorded on digital devices like mobile phones , through our banking apps , authentication tokens , photos , notes , documents , memos , messages and even draft wills , " Ms Jeremy said . " Eighty per cent of Australians own a smartphone . These are inaccessible without a passcode or biometric lock , such as Face ID or Touch ID . These biometric locks are virtually impossible to open after death , and without knowing how to unlock the smartphone , everything stored in the digital world inside cannot be accessed . " Banks and email providers also often require two authentication codes from a digital device , such as the name of your first pet or make of car . Without them , family members or executors of a will can't gain access . " Ms Jeremy says executors may need material kept on digital devices , such as draft testamentary documents , voice notes , texts and messages that may be essential in dispensing will requirements , especially if a will is being challenged . " A sole trader or business owner will often have invoicing apps , client files and business records kept on their mobile phone that would be needed in deciding the division of business assets . " Access to mobile phone records could also be very important for family , who would want the photos and messages stored on the phone . " There are several ways to manage this information . You may set up what is known as a legacy contact within your device . This is the same for iPhones and Android . You can set up an Inactive Manager in your Google account . Passwords may change over time . A good option is to use a password manager that your executor can access ; otherwise the document will need to be updated each time a password changes . There have been several costly court cases involving disputes where a deceased recorded their inheritance intentions on their phone . These were subsequently challenged , as they were not signed by appropriate witnesses as required by law . STACKS LAW FIRM Sandra Jeremy Lawyer No Win , No Fee Conditions apply 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life