A LAW firm has urged people drawing up wills to set out clear instructions on digital legacies to avoid problems after death.

Latimer Hinks, which has offices in Darlington, says anyone looking to set up a will should include up-to-date information on all online accounts.

It says the data should feature email, banking, investments and social networking sites.

Experts also say details of computer game characters in online games, such as World of Warcraft, music and films, internet domains registered to the deceased, and YouTube videos should all be included.

Daniel Williams, a member of Latimer Hinks’ private client team, said: “Such simple measures will make it easier for family members to recover accounts or to close them.

“It should also prevent problems such as the loss of items of sentimental value, including photographs.

“These days, a lot of photographs are stored online, so it’s important that a record is made of where these are.

“By making our wishes clear now, it will be easier for loved ones to recover cherished pictures and will help with the more practical issues such as online bank accounts.”

However, Mr Williams warned people not to include passwords or pin numbers.

He said: “An executor accessing the deceased’s account with these details could be committing a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

“Passwords should certainly not be listed in a will which will ultimately have to be published.”

He recommends the testator leave a letter of wishes, giving executors access to online accounts and stating which accounts should be deleted after death.

However, executors are at the mercy of service providers and problems may be encountered if service providers do not recognise the consents given in a letter of wishes.

Even where records exist, the licensing arrangements attached to some assets, such as Apple's iTunes, specify the assets die with the original owner.

Some assets, however, will not survive beyond an individual’s lifetime.

In many cases, individuals are merely sold licences to use online music, films and books, including Kindle, preventing them from being passed on to others.