What Happens to Your Facebook Account When You Pass Away?

It's a question most people don't think about — but in today's digital age, your social media accounts are part of your legacy, too. Facebook now allows users to choose a “Legacy Contact” — someone you trust to manage your account if you pass away.

Without this setting, your family may face challenges accessing photos, messages, and memories — or even getting your account memorialized.

For Virginia families, where estate planning is already an important step in protecting loved ones, setting up your Facebook Legacy Contact is an easy, five-minute way to take care of one more piece of your digital estate.

What a Legacy Contact Can (and Can't) Do

A Legacy Contact is a person you designate through Facebook's security settings. Once Facebook is notified of your passing, your account can be “memorialized,” and your Legacy Contact will be able to:

• Manage tribute posts (like messages from friends and family)
• Update your profile picture and cover photo
• Accept new friend requests
• Download a copy of your posts, photos, and videos (if you allow this)

However, a Legacy Contact cannot log in as you, read your private messages, or remove old posts or photos.

If you don't name a Legacy Contact, Facebook will lock your account after your death — and family members may have to go through a lengthy verification process just to have it memorialized.

How to Set Up a Legacy Contact

1. Go to your Facebook settings
2. Click “Accounts Center” → “Personal Details” → “Account Ownership and Control”
3. Choose “Memorialization Settings”
4. Enter the name of a trusted friend or family member

Your chosen contact will receive a notice that you've selected them. You can also choose to have Facebook permanently delete your account upon your death if you prefer.

Why It Matters for Your Estate Plan

When Schneider & Williams, P.C. helps clients prepare wills and trusts, we also encourage them to think about their digital assets — including email accounts, online banking, cloud storage, and social media.

Your Facebook photos and messages may hold priceless memories — and setting a Legacy Contact ensures those memories are preserved for your loved ones.

If you haven't reviewed your digital estate plan, this is an excellent time to do so. Our firm can help you identify your online accounts, include them in your estate documents, and authorize your executor or trustee to manage your digital legacy properly.

Take Five Minutes Today

It only takes a few clicks to protect years of memories and connections.

Set up your Legacy Contact on Facebook today — and talk to your estate planning attorney about including your digital life in your overall plan.

At Schneider & Williams, P.C., we help Virginia families protect what matters most — both online and off.

Call us or visit www.swvalawfirm.com to schedule a consultation about wills, trusts, and digital estate planning.