When you created your estate plan, you considered how your bank accounts, real estate, investment and retirement assets, and liabilities should be managed at the time of your passing. You named an executor of your will, a guardian for your minor children, and even provided for generous donations to charity. Your estate plan is complete. Or is it..?

This recent Kiplinger article describes why you should also consider what might happen to your digital assets when you pass away and offers helpful tips ensure that these assets are managed according to your wishes. Your online property – such as email, Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, PayPal and eBay accounts – may hold more value than you think.

Duke University’s Office of Gift Planning encourages you to consult your estate planning attorney to determine how to include your digital assets in your estate plan. Please contact a member of our team if we can be helpful in any way.

About the author

Brandy Chieco

brandolyn.chieco@duke.edu

Brandy oversees marketing and communications, events and special initiatives for the Office of Gift Planning. She works closely with donors who are featured in Duke Magazine, the Blueprints blog and other publications. She also works closely with development teams, schools and alumni volunteers as part of our comprehensive reunion efforts. Prior to joining the team, Brandy worked in marketing, human resources and banking. She received her B.A. degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. When she is not in the office, Brandy enjoys local theatre, exploring the diverse Durham food scene and spending quality time with her husband and son.