Who would have ever thought that estate planning would one day include social media. Facebook has released a new feature called Legacy Contact. The new feature gives users the ability to name a friend or family member to manage their account once they pass away.

Your digital contact is personal property that is owned by you. It consists of photos posted on social media as well as posts and updates. It also includes music owned on iTunes, Pinterest pins and emails, etc.

Up until recently Facebook just froze an account upon the owner’s death. The account would stay visible, but nothing could be changed on it.

Facebook’s new legacy contact will be able to write a post to display at the top of the memorialized timeline, respond to new friends and family and update the profile and cover photos. You can even give your legacy contact permission to download an archive of the photos, posts, and profile information you once shared on Facebook.

You’re not simply handing over your Facebook profile, though. There are also things the legacy contact can’t do. The legacy contact will not be able to delete posts or pictures, or remove friends. They will also not be able to access or view any of your private messages in Facebook Messenger. So your secrets will remain safe.

The legacy contact you select will not be notified that he or she has been selected. You will have to let the person know that you’ve designated him or her as your legacy contact, but Facebook won’t notify them until it receives proof of your death and memorializes your Facebook profile. Someone has to let Facebook know you’ve died and initiate a request for your Facebook account to be memorialized.

If you don’t have anyone that you want to act as your act when you pass on, you can tell Facebook to permanently delete your account.

The post Choose your Facebook Heir appeared first on Don Diva Magazine.