Not to be morbid...

[sherrold]

But I've been thinking about dying a little, recently -- mostly because I've been doing Fanlore articles on fans that have moved on. And I realize that I talked to wickedwords years ago about taking care of my stuff when I died (I have 20 linear feet of zines, still), but she doesn't have my passwords.

Poll #3999 Fannish Executor

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 108

View Respondents

Have you heard of the idea of a Fannish Executor?

View Answers

Yes
85 (78.7%)

No
23 (21.3%)

What do think your Fannish Executor would do?

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Have your LJ/DW/AOO password
98 (91.6%)

Have your fannish website(s) info
81 (75.7%)

Go through your zines and fannish toys
62 (57.9%)

Be mentioned in your actual will as taking care of your fannish stuff
60 (56.1%)

More that I'll put in comments
13 (12.1%)

Do you have a Fannish Executor?

View Answers

Yes
24 (22.6%)

No
49 (46.2%)

Dammit, Sandy, I'm thinking about it; don't be so pushy
33 (31.1%)

Comments

[melina]

I actually decided to get my stuff in order before I had surgery in May. I drafted and signed a proper will, and also filled out an "Instructions for Survivors" form, which is a detailed list of everything the people who survive you need to know, from a list of all your credit cards and insurance policies to the name of your vet, and a list of everyone who should be notified.

Doing this, while a pain, was a pretty useful exercise in making sure my own address book was up to date. Now that it's done, it will be relatively simple to update, and unlike your actual will, it doesn't need to be re-executed. It just accompanies your will, but IMO, anyone who lives on their own should do one of these, even if they don't have a will.

In the same manila file (my dad knows where it is) is a sealed letter to my fannish executor, asking her to do a few things (like transfer the mediafans domain name to wickedwords), post to LJ/DW, and let some people know. Also in the envelope is a USB thumb drive with a copy of the password management program I use (it's eWallet, I recommend), and instructions how to get the actual password file (it's stored online so it stays updated). So once she installed the program and downloaded the file, she will have all my passwords. I will probably have to update this every few years, as software and operating systems change, but the basics are done. In the letter to my actual executor, I included a line that says, "I've asked [fannish executor] to handle certain things for me. Please give her whatever help she asks for." Fortunately, none of this was needed for this particular surgery!

I will be thinking of you at VVC this week, Sandy! We'll miss you so much.

hey, this is good.

[talking_sock]

Nothing like advice on a will from a lawyer... I've been thinking about this too. The idea of leaving a thumb drive or file with info on all the important things to do, plus passwords, is a good one. Obviously a real will is a good idea too, with info on who to contact about the fannish/private things and how to find that info.

Honestly, it's the cats I worry about even more than the porn (both slash and other :-)

Re: hey, this is good.

[melina]

Yeah, the cats were my biggest worry too. Luckily a good friend agreed to be my cat guardian. The proper procedure is to leave the cats to the guardian in the will, because unfortunately they are considered "property." You can also leave the guardian $ to help care for them.