Congratulations on creating an account with FamilySafeBox and taking this important step toward planning for the future. We are thrilled to have you here, and to help you and your loved ones organize your affairs in a way that will make your life easier now, and your loved ones’ lives easier once you’re gone. In this article, we will be sharing with you a few tips regarding your account Keyholders. Read on to learn more about what Keyholders are, who you might choose as your Keyholders, and how you can successfully invite someone to be a Keyholder on your account.
What is a Keyholder?
Keyholders are people that you want to have access to your personal information in the event of an emergency. Answer this question: If, heaven forbid, you were in an accident that left you incapacitated, or if you were to die prematurely (or even expectedly), who would you want to take care of you and your personal affairs? Those are your Keyholders.
Being a Keyholder on someone’s account requires an invitation from the account holder (that’s you), and also requires that they set up their own account with FamilySafeBox. This ensures that they will be able to access your information in the event of an emergency (click here to read our tips for helping your loved one accept your invitation to be a Keyholder). The decision of who to invite as Keyholders on your account deserves careful thought and communication with your loved ones. Because it is a two-way relationship (though not much is required from your Keyholders until after you are gone), you will want to choose someone you trust that is also willing to put in the work of taking care of what you have left behind once you are no longer around.
Who should I choose to be my account Keyholders?
Generally, there are four groups we recommend choosing from when considering possible Keyholders. These are:
- Romantic Partners;
- Family Members;
- Close Friends; and
- Lawyers & other Advising Professionals.
Romantic Partners
It makes sense to invite a romantic partner to act as a Keyholder on your account IF you and this person have a history of trust, commitment, and care for one another. This is especially true if you and your partner share children or pets, a living space, finances, and/or other important parts of your lives. An ex-spouse or partner could also make a viable choice for a Keyholder provided they are still someone you trust, and especially if you have children together.
Pro Tip: If you have a partner that you care for but aren’t sure if you are committed enough to ask them to be a Keyholder on your account, write them a Love Note! Notes in your Love Notes box will be sent out _________ after the Emergency Access Protocol is triggered, and do not require the receiver to be a Keyholder. You are the only person that ever has access to your LoveNotes Box, so you can keep your messages—and who you choose to send them to—private.
Family Members
Family members with whom you have a positive relationship are great options for potential account Keyholders because they are likely going to be heavily involved in managing your affairs once you are gone (i.e., planning your funeral, distributing your estate, handling any debts, etc.). This can include siblings, parents, children, or any other relatives you feel you can trust.
Close Friends
Close family friends can provide additional support for your family in the event of an emergency. It may be a good idea to invite a friend you trust to act as a Keyholder on your account so they can take over some of the load of dealing with your loss.
Lawyers & other Advising Professionals
If you have hired a professional to help you manage your estate or your medical care, you may consider inviting them to act as a Keyholder on your account.
How many Keyholders do I need?
At a bare minimum, you should have at least one Keyholder on your account, but we recommend that you choose at least three. The more trustworthy people you can put to the task of reconciling all of the information you’ve organized here after you’re gone, the less overwhelming it will be for the loved ones you have left behind. For example, you may choose to have your spouse, a sibling who can help with planning your funeral, a family friend who can go through and take care of deleting or canceling unnecessary subscriptions and accounts, and a lawyer who can advise your loved ones in carrying out your estate plan.
At this point, you hopefully have a few people in mind that you might invite to be your Keyholders. Head back to your Keyholder Box to send out invitations, and be sure to check out our other expert articles for more information and tips!