Facebook is now thinking smart when it comes to planning for ones departure of this world.  As of February 2015, you can now designate a “legacy contact” in your Facebook settings, which will allow a family member or close friend to manage your account after you pass away. Facebook used to only offer family members the ability to be able to “memorialize” the account which was a basic way for friends and family to still be able to write on the decedent’s wall. This was definitely a nice feature to offer however, the account of the deceased was unable to be managed by anyone.  From a survey that Facebook released, users were upset about this feature so Facebook decided to step up and support those who are grieving.

Here’s how to choose your legacy contact:

1. Open your setting. Choose security and then Legacy Contact which appears at the bottom of the page.
2. After designating your legacy contact, you’ll have the option to send a message to that person.

So, what will a legacy contact be able to do?

• Write a post to display at the top of the memorialized timeline (to announce a memorial service or share a special message)
• Respond to new friend requests from family members and friends who were not yet connected on Facebook
• Update the profile picture and cover photo

It’s important to understand that being a legacy contact is different from just logging into someone’s account. The chosen legacy contact will not be able to log in as the person who passed away or see that persons private messages. The legacy contact also cannot edit what the deceased has already posted, or what his or her friends have posted on the page. As a Facebook member, you can change your legacy contact at any time but once you pass away the legacy contact cannot pass along the responsibility to someone else. With that being said, make sure the designated legacy is aware of the responsibilities and agrees to keep your social media account the way that you want it to remain.

Aside from the designated legacy having those rights, friends and family will still be able to write on the person’s wall to keep them in memory.

If you don’t feel comfortable or decide to opt out of designating a legacy contact, Facebook also gives you the option to delete your whole account after death.

Plan smart when it comes to managing your assets and now your Facebook account after you depart because as we always say, it’s a Wild world, are you protected?

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and asset protection techniques, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Partners, P.A. at 954-944-2855 to schedule your free consultation.