ControlEngineer - 3:58 pm on Aug 5, 2004 (gmt 0)

Shrimp,
I am saddened by your loss.

This points out that no matter how young and healthy we may be, the end could come at any time. We should be prepared with our will, documentation on things like funeral wishes, etc. and, yes, all the information necessary to gain access to internet accounts. For example, if you are receiving significant income from Adsense there should be a way for your heirs to continue to receive that income. That's why I have my checks made out to my business name; the business (not much but some internet stuff) will be passed to my heirs.

Even if your heirs know nothing about the internet and ecommerce, they may be able to sell the business or hire someone who does know. But they will need to know the names of the accounts and pass words.

A bank lockbox is a good place. There is much more information that may need to be passed to your heirs, particularly if you are older and have multiple bank accounts (perhaps in cities where you once lived). All of that information, as well as your will (or location of the will if your attorney has it) should be in one secure place, where your heirs will know how to find it. That should also include your internet account information and pass words as well as pass words for your computer and location of backup media.