Controlling access to computer passwords after death

Technology may be taking over our lives but the digital age is in its infancy. Where we will be in 20 years is anyone’s guess. Whether it be banking or shopping or car insurance, our affairs are conducted more and more these days on mobile phones and laptop computers.

These things need to be secure and that’s why we have passwords. But what happens when you die? Just a few years ago, it was a case of searching through piles of paper to sort out the finances of someone who died. Not now, though.

When Gerald Cotten, head of Canadian cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaCX, died suddenly last December, he took the whereabouts of C$250m to his grave. Apparently, everything was locked away on his laptop and no one has been able to access it yet.

It’ worth remembering that a last will and testament becomes a public document following a death so quoting passwords in there is not a good idea. But what you can do is point towards them in your will. Perhaps a sealed envelope held by your executors or a list stored separately by a company like Heritage Will Writing.

Make sure your loved ones can access your computer by contacting Heritage Will Writing on 02380 879243.