Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
Your smartphone holds more than photos; it stores passwords, payment apps, and cryptocurrency keys. If you live in the Dallas area and die or become incapacitated, a court must sort out that virtual treasure. Working with a Dallas probate lawyer at McCulloch & Miller, PLLC ensures your digital life fits neatly into your estate plan while still honoring Houston roots.
Your Online Footprint Carries Real-World Value
Every paragraph of an email archive, each photo in cloud storage, and each dollar in a PayPal wallet can translate into financial or sentimental worth. Before diving deeper, remember that Texas treats intangible property just like a house or a car when it comes to probate. Including these bits and bytes now spares your loved ones expensive forensic recovery later.
Texas Rules That Govern Access to Digital Accounts
Texas adopted a version of the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA). The statute lets you grant specific authority to an executor or agent to manage digital property. A separate direction embedded in service-provider settings usually overrides a contrary statement in your will, so consistency matters.
Building a Secure Digital Asset Inventory
Start with a private spreadsheet or password-manager vault. List:
-
Account type and platform (for instance, “Coinbase crypto wallet”).
-
Username, but never an unencrypted password.
-
Estimated value or sentimental importance.
Write a sentence above the list to explain why organizing data matters; close with a line reminding readers that inventories require updates as new apps appear.
Appointing a Tech-Savvy Fiduciary
Many people name a sibling as executor because of family ties. Yet if that sibling struggles with basic software, delays and mistakes can follow. Select someone who understands two-factor authentication and embraces secure storage principles. Include an alternate in case the first choice declines later. Conclude this section by noting that a clear chain of command avoids courtroom confusion.
How a Dallas Probate Lawyer Simplifies the Process
Drafting a straightforward will is only half the job. Your attorney can also:
-
Coordinate language across wills, trusts, and online directives.
-
Confirm RUFADAA requirements.
-
Store the digital inventory securely in the firm’s vault.
Begin with a sentence introducing the benefits; finish with an assurance that professional guidance reduces family stress.
Key Takeaways for Protecting Virtual Property
You devote hours to curating playlists, mining NFTs, and messaging friends. Treat those efforts like any other asset in your portfolio. Loop in a Dallas probate lawyer early, and you lock in privacy, efficiency, and peace of mind. When you are ready to act, call McCulloch & Miller, PLLC at (713) 333-8900 or reach out through our online form to schedule a consultation.