AbaWeb
Increasing importance of the digital estate
There are hardly any people left who do not use the Internet or otherwise leave their mark on the digital world. The increasing digitization is also accompanied by an increasing importance of the digital estate. After the death of someone close to them, relatives increasingly have to deal with their digital legacy. Consequently, it makes sense to think about one's own digital estate during one's lifetime.
Upon inheritance, the digital estate is transferred in its entirety to the heirs by universal succession. In addition to physical assets, the latter also acquire virtual possessions, digital data and other inheritable rights (e.g. copyrights). Personal rights, on the other hand, are generally non-inheritable, which is why relatives only have limited options for action, particularly with regard to email accounts and profiles on social networks, on the basis of the protection of memory. In addition, providers of online services are predominantly domiciled abroad, which makes it even more difficult to enforce claims under Swiss inheritance law.
In order to make a self-determined decision about the fate of your digital estate during your lifetime, it is advisable to always document digital activities and access data properly and to keep this information in a safe place. In addition, specific instructions can be set out in a last will and testament as to what should happen to the digital estate. By appointing an executor, a trusted person can also be entrusted with the implementation of these intentions.
We will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have in connection with digital estate planning.
