I'm in the process of putting together some paperwork for my heirs so they can find the money. Phone numbers of the institutions have been provided. I guess for them to make claim they would need death certificate(s). I'm wondering if they would also need to give account numbers. Of course I would be putting this file somwhere safe.
Info for heirs
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troutnut1
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A lot of password vault companies have a feature whereby you can guide heirs in with a special number or password so they can gain access to your accounts and passwords after death. The one I use also provides secure storage for documents, instructions, wills, and such.
It makes things so much easier for the executor/s if they can log in like you do.
Go-NoGo
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justlikebike
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Do these include someone to clear your browser history? 
Have you used this? I saw it on FIDO website, but couldn't figure out if it was any better than the book I've made up. How do heirs know to go to the FidSafe website?
ExFlyBoy5
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The FAQ page answers your questions and explains it all pretty well. Looks like a pretty good option, IMHO.
Go-NoGo
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I have not used it yet, but am planning on doing it in the future. The book with all your key information is a good way to go, you could think of the Fidsafe as a backup in the event the book gets misplaced or lost after the "event"
From the FAQ on Fidsafe :
steelyman
Moderator Emeritus
Thanks for this post. I’d never heard of the service (FidSafe). I’ll be very interested in what people think.
[ADDED] I’m especially curious about how long it’s expected to last because, of course, I’m not going to die.
[ADDED] I’m especially curious about how long it’s expected to last because, of course, I’m not going to die.
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Do these include someone to clear your browser history?
On my death bed, I’ll be whispering to my heirs, “Please clear the browser and remember me as the person you thought I was.”
Souschef
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I have a sheet in our Estate Planning binder with a listing of every account, including the company name, phone number, and account number.
pb4uski
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Do these include someone to clear your browser history?
Nah, that is what incognito mode is for!
JustCurious
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I've often heard people say that they have given their username and passwords to their accounts to their loved ones in case the pass away, but I wonder how useful that is?
First of all, it is illegal for someone to pretend to be you and use your account credentials to take any action as you after you are dead. And yes that applies to your beneficiaries, and yes that applies to someone with a durable power of attorney because the power of attorney dies when you die.
Second, as soon as your account providers find out that you are dead they are going to freeze your account so those account credentials won't be any good anymore.
I suppose your heirs could use the account credentials to log in and see the account information without taking any action before they notify the account holders (and assuming the account provider does not find out that you are dead from another source) and that may be beneficial, but you could accomplish the same thing simply by giving your heirs the contact information for the account provider and making sure they know your SSN and birthday and have a general idea of what accounts are with which provider. I think that's all they need anyway.
First of all, it is illegal for someone to pretend to be you and use your account credentials to take any action as you after you are dead. And yes that applies to your beneficiaries, and yes that applies to someone with a durable power of attorney because the power of attorney dies when you die.
Second, as soon as your account providers find out that you are dead they are going to freeze your account so those account credentials won't be any good anymore.
I suppose your heirs could use the account credentials to log in and see the account information without taking any action before they notify the account holders (and assuming the account provider does not find out that you are dead from another source) and that may be beneficial, but you could accomplish the same thing simply by giving your heirs the contact information for the account provider and making sure they know your SSN and birthday and have a general idea of what accounts are with which provider. I think that's all they need anyway.
NeverBored
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to OP:
I've been going through this process for DM's estate for several months.
1. Heirs need a death certificate FIRST before they can do anything. The mortuary handled obtaining the DC and notifying Social Security routinely. It took longer than usual because of COVID restrictions at the county level.
2. Account numbers are enormously helpful to the heirs. Please list them with each account. Statements are also helpful. Make sure all accounts that need beneficiaries have them. My mom left a bit of a mess, but she had all her accounts as either POD or TOD, and that was so helpful.
It took us a while to find all the documents we needed, but we eventually did. The only thing we couldn't find was one stock certificate, so that is being sorted out.
I've been going through this process for DM's estate for several months.
1. Heirs need a death certificate FIRST before they can do anything. The mortuary handled obtaining the DC and notifying Social Security routinely. It took longer than usual because of COVID restrictions at the county level.
2. Account numbers are enormously helpful to the heirs. Please list them with each account. Statements are also helpful. Make sure all accounts that need beneficiaries have them. My mom left a bit of a mess, but she had all her accounts as either POD or TOD, and that was so helpful.
It took us a while to find all the documents we needed, but we eventually did. The only thing we couldn't find was one stock certificate, so that is being sorted out.
And believe me, you want to ask for more of them than you think you'll need. Small cost, but well worth it.
pb4uski
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Nolo doesn't seem to see it as much of a problem.
Now that said, if I were a named executor I would tread lightly and try to avoid doing much in any decedent's accounts until formally appointed executor by the probate court if the will is subject to probate (sme smaller wills might not be). But I would be very comfortable making sure that bills got paid, etc.
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/access-online-accounts-helping-executor-35013.html
Now that said, if I were a named executor I would tread lightly and try to avoid doing much in any decedent's accounts until formally appointed executor by the probate court if the will is subject to probate (sme smaller wills might not be). But I would be very comfortable making sure that bills got paid, etc.
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/access-online-accounts-helping-executor-35013.html
mckittri2000
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I'm helping my mother go through this right now. My father passed last month and even though they had a living trust, we have to remove my father's name and SS# from all the accounts. Luckily for us, he left an "in case I die" checklist with account #''s, phone numbers, and addresses. You would think with all the technology available today it would be simple, it is not.
I would just add that in addition to accounts, usernames and passwords, the executor will probably need the cell phone of the deceased, with access, to deal with 2 factor authentication.
Souschef
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The one thing I missed on my wife's passing was her Apple log in. So I am going to have to destroy her 2 i phones. Apple isn't super friendly on getting access. I'll probably try one more time then give up
That can indeed be a hassle.
They definitely make you jump through some considerable hoops:
How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple accounts
NeverBored
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Yes! Because I found my mother's iPhone pin, her Apple ID and password, I was able to get all her treasured photos off her phone and iPad, and also was able to contact friends of hers who did not know she had passed. We then passed the phone on to her grandson who needed it.
Yes, heirs need accounts, username, passwords.
My 32 year old single son died suddenly in 2020 - and lived alone. His dad and I spent weeks gathering this information from his computer. In a digital age, my son did not keep paper records. The estate attorney advised we gather accounts, assets, debts ASAP. Probate requires it and unforeseen creditors can delay the process. It was time consuming and agonizing to pour through his emails, etc to "find" everything. FYI - he had a credit with an airline who agreed to reimburse the estate.
Once we had a death certificate, we could sell his properties, and place funds in his estate account. We are still waiting for the probate to settle.
The year 2020 S*CKED !!
My 32 year old single son died suddenly in 2020 - and lived alone. His dad and I spent weeks gathering this information from his computer. In a digital age, my son did not keep paper records. The estate attorney advised we gather accounts, assets, debts ASAP. Probate requires it and unforeseen creditors can delay the process. It was time consuming and agonizing to pour through his emails, etc to "find" everything. FYI - he had a credit with an airline who agreed to reimburse the estate.
Once we had a death certificate, we could sell his properties, and place funds in his estate account. We are still waiting for the probate to settle.
The year 2020 S*CKED !!
ownyourfuture
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SecondCor521
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Octogirl, I am so sorry for your loss.
