Digital assets act grants personal representatives access to digital data

Senate Bill 494, also known as the Florida Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, took effect July 1, 2016. The act allows fiduciaries to manage digital assets and communications in the same way one would with tangible assets.

Digital data includes emails, photos, social media content, and online account information.

The four types of fiduciaries that this bill applies to are personal representatives; guardians of minors or incapacitated persons; agents under the authority of a power of attorney; and trustees. Fiduciaries must provide evidence of their authority under Florida law.

The bill does not extend access to digital data to family members or loved ones who aren’t fiduciaries. Also, the act does not grant the fiduciaries the right to own the asset; it only allows them to access it.

By granting fiduciaries access to digital assets while you are competent, you can properly protect and plan for your assets.