Social Media and Deceased Estates

In an increasingly connected world where keeping up to date with the happenings of family and friends is a few clicks away, social media is a necessity in our day to day lives. But what happens to your loved one’s social media accounts when they pass? Read on to find out more.

Deceased Estates and Social Media

Each person’s social media is unique and individual to them. Following the loss of a loved one, these accounts are understandably unique and sentimental to you. The process required to either preserve or close these accounts will vary from platform to platform but generally the person seeking to deal with the deceased’s social media accounts will need the following

1. The name of the person who has died;
2. A link to their profile;
3. Proof of Death; and
4. Proof of Relationship to the Deceased.

However, beware that many platforms do not allow for the deceased’s account to be accessed after death without log in details. This may prove problematic where the deceased has not provided you with the log in details and you are unable to locate these amongst the deceased’s personal possessions. So, what do you do?

We outline below some of the processes to deal with the main social media platforms:

Facebook

A Facebook account will be memorialised when Facebook is notified of the person’s death. Once this occurs, the legacy contact can manage and moderate tributes on the profile but cannot post or interact on the platform as the deceased person.

Instagram

Instagram accounts can either be deleted or memorialized at the request of an immediate family member.

Twitter

Twitter will deactivate the Twitter account of the deceased once proof of death has been provided by next of kin or the executor. Twitter does not allow access to the deceased’s account after death and will only close the account with no option to memorialise or manage the account.

Tik Tok

At present Tik Tok does not have any policy to deactivate accounts.

Snapchat

Snapchat will only delete the deceased’s account after receiving proof of death from next of kin or the executor. There is no option for access or management of the account after death.

At Streeterlaw, we understand that digital assets are increasingly forming part of a loved one’s estates. We are able to assist you to navigate this new development in an increasingly interlinked and connected society. If you’re unsure what to do next, let your next call be to Streeterlaw on 1300 293 593 and speak with one of our friendly estate team members.

Alternatively, leave a message on our Facebook Page. 

Written by Tamara Stevanovic

Tamara studied a combined degree in Law and Commerce at Macquarie University. She attained her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law in 2021 and is currently undertaking her Masters of Law in Commercial Litigation. Tamara is passionate in taking a commercial approach to resolving all disputes in both commercial litigation and estate litigation matters and is a valuable asset to the Streeterlaw team

Call us on 02 8197 0105 to book an appointment with Tamara Stevanovic!