Passwords!!! - by Suzie Daggett
A few years ago, a family member died unexpectedly. In his late 60’s, he had no medical issues, no red flags, yet he passed quickly. We arrived to help his wife with the overwhelming details of his passing combined with the sale of their house, which was already on the market and scheduled to be shown the day he died.
After the initial shock, it was time to process data and get his files organized. One problem - we did not have the log-in for either his phone or computer. Many, many attempts were tried and we finally gave up. All online information of his accounts was unretrievable, even by experts. Naturally, this caused countless problems for his wife in a time she needed rest and recovery. Eventually, it would take a year or more to unlock and distribute any funds due her.
A friend whose husband recently passed, emphasized the vital importance of passwords. Although she had many of her husband’s, she did not have all, and the tangle of not knowing what they were added to her grief and sadness.
Most of us live in a digital world with an odd selection of passwords on our mobile phones, tablets and computers. You may or may not know your own countless passwords and have to resort to updating/changing passwords every time you visit a site you need, but rarely use. This is the world we now live in!
No matter your age, consider this:
Find your way to safely store all passwords so your mate, partner, or family can access and finalize any and all of your financials, utilities, insurance, military, and everyday activities.
Let them know where the passwords are stored. You can put an information sheet in your will/trust documents and remind them yearly.
If you are the one who does most of the banking, app set-ups, streaming services, and monthly household payments, your family needs to know how to deal with the finality of each account. A frustrating amount of work is ahead for those who do not have passwords readily available for using.
Lastly, if appropriate, and agreeable, be on any accounts with those who are dying. I was able to do this with my mom saving countless time and energy.
Hints: I use a locked version on my Notes where I store most if not all passwords. Some people use a safe app for their passwords (google “safe apps to store passwords” and read comments to determine what works for you), others write them on paper or are more laissez-faire in their approach, while some do nothing. Find the way that works best for the way you organize files and let others know! Your family will applaud you from there to here — always a good thing!
Suzie Daggett is the author of: The Pink Door ~ Moms’ Journey to the Other Side providing a roadmap to assist elders in their dying process and comfort the caregiver; From Ego to Soul ~ Discover what your Soul needs and what your Ego wants: and PEARLS ~ 52 Contemplative Insights. Suzie’s gift is to spin practical easily understood real life advice to bring clarity to everyday living.
