RJ Hamster
Estate Planning for the Digital Age: Your Money Has…
| January 09, 2026 | Read OnlineEstate Planning for the Digital Age: Your Money Has Passwords Now Accounts, crypto, photos, and subscriptions — what families can’t access becomes a problem fast. Dear Reader,As we head into January, the IRS is in full “Get Ready” mode for the 2026 filing season, urging taxpayers to organize records and use online tools early, including tracking income tied to digital assets. The IRS has made the point plainly: preparation now reduces delays later.For investors, this means something bigger than taxes: more of your financial life is now locked behind passwords, apps, and two-factor authentication. If your family can’t access it, they can’t manage it. Gold has shattered records, soaring past $4,000 an ounce…But Stansberry Senior Partner Dr. David “Doc” Eifrig says history shows it could be on the verge of its biggest bull run in over half a century.His research shows it could be triggered by a major event, eerily similar to what happened in the 1970s.It’s NOT inflation, fed rate cut expectations, escalating geopolitical tensions, or anything you’re likely expecting.And Doc believes you MUST own shares of his top gold stock.He says you could 10x your money without touching a risky miner or a boring exchange-traded fund.Get all the facts here.It’s the centerpiece of Doc’s full gameplan for this wild market, with extraordinary upside potential.Click here for the full details on this developing gold story. Why This MattersA “digital estate” isn’t a niche concern anymore. It’s your bank logins, brokerage access, insurance portals, retirement accounts, stored tax documents, subscription bills, and the phone that unlocks half of it.Even crypto is moving into the mainstream paperwork pipeline. Treasury and the IRS finalized broker reporting rules tied to the new Form 1099-DA, with reportingbeginning for transactions on or after January 1, 2025, according to the IRS. If heirs can’t locate wallets, exchanges, or the right login method, “ownership” can turn into an expensive delay. Where Things StandStart with a simple household playbook: a one-page list of your critical accounts (banking, brokerage, retirement, insurance, credit cards, key subscriptions), plus which bills are on autopay and which email/phone number receives security codes. Store it where your spouse or executor can actually reach it.Next, treat credential management like home security. NIST’s digital identity guidance is clear that authentication needs to support modern credential practices (including password manager use), as outlined in NIST. A reputable password manager can help, but only if your family has a lawful, documented way to access it.Then enable the “legacy” tools that major platforms already provide. Apple explains that a Legacy Contact needs both an access key and a death certificate to request access, per Apple Support. Google’s Inactive Account Manager lets you choose what data to share and who gets it after a period of inactivity, per Google Account Help.Finally, stay alert to scams that exploit family urgency. LastPass has warned customers about phishing campaigns that abuse “inheritance” language, as described in a LastPass security notice. The Patriot PerspectiveGood estate planning has always been about preventing confusion at the worst possible time. In the digital age, organization is a form of security.A steady habit for January: update beneficiaries, review devices and two-factor settings, refresh your account list, and make sure one trusted person can responsibly step in if you can’t.Stay steady,Kenneth BoydAuthor, Finance Writer, Former Investment Advisor & CPA Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here© 2026 The Patriot Investor 228 Park Ave S, #29976, New York, New York 10003, United States Terms of Service |
