The Digital Death Conundrum: How Federal and State Laws Prevent Fiduciaries from Managing Digital Property
37 Pages Posted: 8 Apr 2014 Last revised: 15 Apr 2014
Date Written: April 7, 2014
Abstract
This article discusses four types of fiduciaries, each of which is affected by the vast growth in and the need to manage digital property. The article begins by defining digital property and discussing why it must be managed. The article then discusses how digital property affects powers of attorney, conservatorships, probate administration, and trusts. After illustrating the problems that digital property creates for each fiduciary, the article shifts to resolving these problems. It begins by debunking purported solutions by both private and governmental entities. It concludes by offering a holistic approach to resolving the conflicts facing account holders, fiduciaries, and service providers and providing the level of security sought in fiduciary property management, as well as a best-practices approach in the interim to a complete solution.
Keywords: fiduciary, digital property, powers of attorney, conservatorship, probate, trust
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation