In Alberta, like almost everywhere on the planet, our lives are now conducted increasingly online.
Accordingly, most people have accumulated digital assets in one way or another. These may be large or small, from ecommerce stores to Bitcoin holdings, and from an Instagram account to an online bank account.
However, when we come to estate planning, many still tend to take a traditional approach that does not fully consider these assets.
A comprehensive estate plan takes into account digital assets as well as real-world “brick and mortar” assets.
Our western Canada team at Vest Estate Lawyers is ready to help you plan and execute a modern estate plan that considers all of your interests.
What are digital assets?
Digital assets are generally considered to be:
- Files stored on digital devices such as computers laptops, tablets, storage devices, smartphones, etc.
- Emails, digital media (music/photos/videos), software licences, social media accounts (e.g. Facebook, Twitter), online banking and financial accounts, domain names and websites (including online stores) as well as e-subscriptions, air miles, digital rewards programs, and so on.
Access to these files that we take for granted in life can be complex for loved ones, attorneys, and personal representatives after you die or become incapacitated – unless you have considered and put in place some digital asset planning.
Conan Taylor
MANAGING PARTNER
Conan Taylor is the founding Managing Partner of Vest Estate Law, a boutique firm specializing in wills and estates across Alberta and BC. Rather than active practice, Conan focuses on team building and strategic growth of the firm’s presence. A former Canadian Armed Forces pilot, he holds degrees from the University of Alberta and Queen’s University. His leadership has established Vest Estate Law as a premier resource for comprehensive estate planning, administration, and litigation services.
