Today it is not only houses or bank savings that are inherited. Passwords, social media profiles, photos saved in the cloud and, in some cases, money that only exists in digital format are also inherited. Death, which previously left drawers full of papers, now leaves locked cell phones and inaccessible accounts. And with them, new questions: who can enter? what is deleted? what is preserved?
In Argentina, more and more families are faced with this scene: a loved one dies and their virtual life is suspended. WhatsApp is still active, the Instagram profile remains open and no one knows what is happening with home banking or virtual wallets. The digital inheritance thus bursts into the midst of mourning, adding uncertainty to an already delicate moment.
The problem is not just emotional. It is also economic and legal. Part of the wealth today can be in digital platforms: virtual accounts, online investments or even cryptocurrencies. Unlike traditional banks, these platforms do not always inform heirs. If no one knows the keys or is unaware of the existence of these funds, they may be left out of the succession.
Argentine law recognizes that assets with economic value are part of the inheritance, even when they are digital. However, technical access is often an obstacle. Many companies apply their own policies and require death certificates, proof of heirs or court rulings to close an account or provide information. The result is a bureaucratic path that adds to the emotional impact of the loss.
Furthermore, today there is a specific legal gap regarding digital inheritance. There is still no comprehensive regulation that clearly and detailed regulates what happens to digital assets and profiles after the death of a person. In practice, many decisions are subject to interpretive criteria and the professional opinion of those involved in each case. However, Argentine law is in the process of addressing this problem, moving towards regulation that provides greater legal security to both heirs and users of digital platforms.
Digital inheritance also raises intimate dilemmas. In this new scenario, death no longer completely erases a person’s presence. Your virtual identity continues to exist in profiles, photos and data. The question stops being just what assets are inherited and becomes what digital footprint is left.
Talking about digital heritage is not talking about cold technology. It is talking about memory, intimacy and care. Just as for years we learned to organize deeds and bank accounts, today it is beginning to be necessary to think about what will happen to online life when someone is missing. In times when much of our personal history is stored in the cloud, estate planning is also a way to protect memories and avoid future conflicts.
Dr Turiace Melina -Inheritance Lawyer-
Ig. Dr. turiacemelina
by CONTENTNOTICAS
