How does one make private information available to survivors after your death? I have been making a will, last wishes, etc. recently, and I’m including a list of all necessary passwords, online IDs, banking info, and similar things that people will need to deal with my affairs after I’m gone. Much of that info is in my password locker app on my phone and my pc, so I can provide the password to that app.
I can put it all in a file on my computer, but my computer requires a passcode because until I’m dead I don’t want people to have access to any of this. Other people live in my home, including teenagers, and I don’t trust anyone to have free access to my computer or this information. I don’t want to print it out and leave it in a “Don’t open until I’m dead” envelope, because the info is too sensitive.
So if I get hit by a bus tomorrow and die before I can tell anyone the password to my computer, how can I make that available to the person handling my affairs? I thought about leaving it in bank deposit box and letting someone figure out what the key on my key ring is for, but renting a box just for that seems less than ideal.
Rivest and others have invented various “time-lock” encryption methods, but the question is whether there is a foolproof computer utility that you and your lawyer can easily use. If you are sufficiently motivated, that is a direction you could look into, though.
Another cryptographic option is “secret sharing”, in which M of N pieces are necessary to reconstruct the password. For example, one might be in the hands of your family and a second in the hands of your lawyer and one needs both, or however else you want to arrange it.
I use the LastPass password vault. It has a feature where you can designate a an emergency unlock username and password. You give that info in plain text to whoever should manage your affairs after you’re dead.
The trick is that their login won’t work unless you have not logged in yourself for more than 15 or 30 days (I think it’s configurable). So as long as you’re making normal use of the app, they have zero access. Only if you’re dead, incarcerated, hospitalized, etc. and not using the app for a long time does it unlock for them.
As to stuff you can’t put into a password vault, you can put that into a word processing or spreadsheet or ??? document, password protect the document, and put that password in your vault.
Where are you going to leave the will? If it’s with a lawyer, you could include a sealed envelope with the private information. Presumably you trust the lawyer enough to do this?
You could set up an elaborate email system that is automatically sent to the executor of your estate. But only if a string of numbers isn’t input into a system within a set period of time. You could use the numbers 4 8 15 16 23 42, and require that they be entered every 108 minutes. You could build a hatch into the earth and employ people to enter the numbers for you.
You probably don’t need to include passwords for everything. For most financial accounts, login information is not necessary. It’s sufficient to provide just a list of financial institutions and account numbers or SSN. The executor can use your death certificate and probate documents to get access to your accounts. You want to make sure your spouse has access something like a checking account for day-to-day use since it will take some time for the executor to get control of your accounts. So just as long as you have accessible funds to keep the household running for a week or two, the executor will eventually be able to access your other funds.
Some social media services may have a way for the executor to indicate you’ve passed so they can post a message to your account. If that’s a concern of yours, see what your social media services allow. Again, the password isn’t necessary for this.
You should be careful about recording passwords since anyone could get access to them, such as relatives, guests, workers, burglars, etc. Only record a password if your family or executor would have no other way of accessing the account. In most cases, the executor will be granted access to your account from the institution once presented with the death certificate.
Putting it in a safe deposit box would work. You don’t even need to play games with the key - just get a box, with you as the only person authorized to open it. Once you are dead, your heirs will have a death certificate that they can take to the bank, and go through the formal process of getting access. Until that point, just having the key isn’t enough - whenever you use the box, they check your ID and make you sign in with a signature card, or electronically. Anyone who isn’t on the list can’t get in.
And, practically, unless you use your passwords to encrypt your data, it’s just a hassle for your heirs. I had to get access to all my dad’s accounts, many with passwords that didn’t work. I just went through the password reset process, since I had access to his email. Even without that, it’s generally not very difficult to get access. Any “really” important access (like, financials) will have a designated beneficiary, so you don’t even need to give people access to that online.
Safe deposit box. Your executor will be able to get into it once appointed by the court.
Final instructions regarding do not resuscitate, funeral, etc., you need to give to someone.
If there’s someone who needs fast access to your cash, you should have some in a joint account. I don’t think it’s a great idea for anyone to be able to get passwords to your financial accounts unless they’re a joint owner. A non-owner moving money around will result in a mess.
Google has an inactive account manager. If you don’t log in for a couple months, it will automatically email people you specify to give them access to your account.
I happen to have a floor safe in my garage. That’s where this kind of material goes, and my family knows about it. Most of it is paper and includes lists of passphrases, account numbers, who to inform. None of the computer files are encrypted. I have faith in my setup.
My designated executor knows the combination. If she wants to be nefarious she would have to gain access, which would be problematic if I’m still alive and roaming around the house. Not impossible, to be sure, but difficult.
Barring a floor safe the right idea is safe deposit box.
