Digital Life Planning Before Vacation
When I traveled to Japan in 2023 with my family, I was the trip planner and the keeper of all things digital. I had almost all of our tickets stored electronically on my phone – Universal Studios, Tokyo Disney, Bullet train. All of the amazing things we were going to do were only accessible through my phone. I had no concerns with this plan…. until I dropped my phone into water as we were going through an interactive museum. Luckily enough (Thanks, Apple!) there wasn’t any water damage, and ultimately no major problem, but it sure taught me a lesson. Before heading out on vacation this summer, most people remember the essentials: passports, chargers, reservations, and sunscreen. But there’s one area many families overlook entirely: digital life planning.
Today, so much of our lives exist online. Banking information, travel confirmations, medical portals, family photos, and even legal documents are often stored on phones or in cloud accounts. If an emergency happens while traveling, loved ones may struggle to access critical information when it matters most.
Here are a few simple ways to better protect your digital life before your next trip:
Use a Password Manager
Many people rely on memory or saved passwords on a single device. A password manager can securely store login information and allow a trusted person to access important accounts in an emergency. Password managers such as 1Password, Bitwarden, or Apple’s iCloud Keychain can securely store important login information and help trusted family members access critical accounts during an emergency.
Review Emergency Access on Your Phone
Most smartphones now allow users to set up emergency information that can be accessed without unlocking the device. This may include emergency contacts, medical conditions, allergies or medications. This information can help first responders or family members quickly reach the right people during an emergency while traveling.
It is also important to consider who could access essential information if you became temporarily incapacitated. Many families rely on one person’s phone for banking access, travel confirmations, insurance information, family contacts, digital tickets and reservations.
Consider creating a secure plan for trusted loved ones to locate important information if needed. This might include using a password manager with emergency access features, keeping critical contacts updated, securely storing backup travel documents, and discussing digital access as part of your estate planning documents.
While convenience is important, avoid sharing passwords casually through text messages, notes apps, or unsecured email.
Securely Store Travel Documents
Keep digital copies of passports, IDs, insurance cards, and travel itineraries in a secure cloud storage system or encrypted folder. Having backups can make replacing lost documents much easier.
Consider a Digital Executor
A digital executor is someone authorized to help manage online accounts and digital assets if you become incapacitated or pass away. This can include email accounts, online banking, social media profiles, cloud photo storage, and other digital property. As more of our financial and personal lives move online, digital planning has become an important part of modern estate planning.
Be Careful with Public Wi-Fi and Social Media
Traveling often means connecting to unfamiliar networks. Avoid accessing sensitive financial accounts on unsecured public Wi-Fi and consider limiting real-time social media posts that publicly announce you are away from home.
A little preparation before traveling can provide tremendous peace of mind for both you and your family. Summer is also a great time to review your estate planning documents to ensure they reflect both your traditional assets and your digital life.
If you have questions about powers of attorney, digital assets, or updating your estate plan, our office is always happy to help.
