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Estate Planning with Apple’s Legacy Contact

Client Alert
August 9, 2023

What happens to your Apple ID account when you die? Apple has created a feature among its products which allows you to choose one or more people to have access to your Apple ID account following your death. Apple refers to the online tool as a “Legacy Contact.” An Apple user may designate anyone to be their Legacy Contact, including those who do not own an Apple device or have an Apple ID. You can send the legacy contact a message that includes the access key, or you can print off a copy and keep it with your estate documents. At any time before your death, you may remove someone from being a Legacy Contact. The person you have removed will not receive a notification that they have been removed. However, their access key will no longer work.

If you are named as someone’s Legacy Contact and the account holder has passed, you can access their data by submitting a request to Apple with the access key that you received and the account holder’s death certificate. Once this information has been verified and access has been approved, the Legacy Contact will receive a special Apple ID to access the account data. The data a Legacy Contact may access includes photos, notes, mail, contacts, calendars, reminders, messages, call history, health data, Safari bookmarks, voice memos, and files stored. The Legacy Contact’s access only lasts for three years, and the account will be deleted permanently following the three-year period.

Apple’s new feature has a significant impact on estate planning. Under Ohio law, online tools such as Apple’s Legacy Contact supersede contrary directions in a person’s will, trust, power of attorney, or other record. This means that if you do not name the same person to be your Legacy Contact as you name in your will or trust, your Legacy Contact may act contrary to what your will or trust states. Therefore, it is important to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney when determining how to handle digital assets. Those who do not have a plan for their digital assets may be susceptible to identity theft, losses to the estate, exposure of secrets, and loss of sentimental data.

If you have any questions regarding Apple’s Legacy Contact or planning for your digital assets, please contact Cassandra Manna at clmanna@bmdllc.com or (216) 658-2206.

Estate Planning
Multimedia, Client Alert

Nationwide Ban on Non-Compete Agreements: Requirements and Texas Court Decision Explained

September 4, 2024Watch this Employment Law After Hours video to find out about the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) groundbreaking Final Rule that bans non-compete agreements nationwide. This video also explores the recent decision by the Northern District of Texas to enjoin and delay the implementation and enforcement of the Final Rule banning non-compete agreements nationwide.Client Alert

Parental Approval Mandate for Diagnosing Gender-Related Conditions in Minors under Ohio House Bill 68

September 4, 2024Ohio House Bill 68, effective August 6, 2024, introduces strict guidelines for mental health professionals diagnosing and treating minors with gender-related conditions. The law mandates parental or guardian consent before any diagnosis or treatment can proceed. Additionally, professionals must first screen for other comorbidities and assess for any history of abuse. Failure to adhere to these requirements can result in disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct.Client Alert, Multimedia

Navigate the Latest Employment Law Changes with Confidence

August 13, 2024BMD Partner and Co-Chair of the Employment & Labor Law Group, Bryan Meek, presented this webinar on trending HR topics. Topics include the new Fair Labor Standards Act changes for exempt employees and Federal Trade Commission's nationwide ban on non-competes. Discover how these groundbreaking changes will impact organizations nationwide and what they need to do to ensure compliance.Client Alert

Planning for Wealth: Lessons from Athletes, Entertainers, and Executives

August 1, 2024The financial challenges and strategies used by high-income earners like Donovan Mitchell, Taylor Swift, and Jamie Dimon are not just for the wealthy—they can apply to anyone managing significant assets. This article delves into essential wealth management techniques, from leveraging tax exemptions to navigating major liquidity events, providing valuable insights to help you achieve financial stability and preserve your wealth.Client Alert

The Ohio Department of Medicaid Amends Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Rules

July 29, 2024Ohio Department of Medicaid has updated definitions of fraud, waste, and abuse as well as given specificity and clarity to the list of examples.
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