Passing on Passwords

Welcome to The Branch Law Firm, PLLC's inaugural blog. After many years at a nationally prominent family law firm located in Dallas and San Antonio, I have opened a practice in picturesque Rockwall, Texas, ready to continue to provide quality legal services. While setting up the office, my dearly beloved asked: "If something happens, how do I access this stuff?". And,thus my first blog idea was born. Who do you trust enough give access to your passwords? Your bank accounts? Your credit card accounts? Your Facebook? Your Twitter? Your LinkedIn? Your blog? Your pin numbers? Should it be the executor/executive of your estate? The trustee of your trust? Your spouse? What if there is marital discord? Your sibling? A parent? An adult child? What if there is a breakdown in the familial relationship? What about your attorney? The person to whom you entrust your passwords should be someone who will keep the information safe and not access your accounts unless you become incapacitated or die. Another thought to ponder is that passwords should be changed frequently to thwart hackers. Your attorney has a special relationship with you called a fiduciary relationship. The Legal Dictionary at law.com defines a fiduciary relationship as: fiduciary relationship n. where one person places complete confidence in another in regard to a particular transaction or one's general affairs or business. The relationship is not necessarily formally or legally established as in a declaration of trust, but can be one of moral or personal responsibility, due to the superior knowledge and training of the fiduciary as compared to the one whose affairs the fiduciary is handling. Call me at 469-600-3334 (M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST) at The Branch Law Firm, PLLC, to learn how you can secure your passwords for access by an authorized person of your choice in the event of your incapacity or death.