If you have recently lost a loved one and are seeking to pursue a wrongful death suit, you may also be wondering what you should do with your  LegacySettingloved one’s social media accounts. Oftentimes, Facebook is the most convenient way to reach out to other friends and family to let them know about your loved one’s passing, and to share developing information. However, the content on their page may be difficult to access or might contain information that should remain private.

When someone passes suddenly, it is common for loved ones to seek a way to close or memorialize the Facebook profile of the deceased individual. Until recently, digital assets like social media profiles and other similar types of estate have been difficult or confusing to manage after the sudden death of the owner. Now, Facebook has chosen to implement a Legacy Contact setting. Facebook’s Legacy setting allows the owner of a page to designate a friend or family member who will have the authority to close or memorialize the Facebook page in the event of death.

The designated legacy contact can pin a post on your timeline; respond to a new friend request; update profile pictures; and download a copy of what you’ve shared on Facebook since you’ve been a user. They cannot however, log in to your account; remove or change past posts, photos and other things shared on your timeline; read messages you’ve sent to other friends; or remove friends.

Less than 12 states have laws governing what happens to the digital assets of people who have passed away. But, recent polls have shown that 71 percent of Americans state they would like their online communications to remain private after death, which Facebook appears to be trying to accommodate with this new setting.

Keep in mind that while you may want to communicate to friends and family the details or your feelings regarding your loved one’s passing, it is important to keep personal details that may affect your wrongful death case OFF of social medial. Click here to learn how your social media activities can affect your wrongful death suit.

Hupy and Abraham will do everything to settle your case as quickly as possible out of court, and can help you find assistance for digital estate planning if that’s something you require. If you have been affected by the sudden death of a loved one and are seeking to pursue a wrongful death suit, contact the experienced attorneys of Hupy and Abraham. Call 800-800-5678 for a free, no-obligation consultation today. 

Jill Erin Wellskopf
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Director of Marketing, Hupy and Abraham