What happens to our hubpages account when we die?

1. 82

   homesteadboundposted 10 years ago

   Wow! What a horrible question! But as I fight breast cancer, this question keeps haunting me ...
   Although I have often wondered the answer to this question, it now become more imperative.  Altho in the past I have been absent recently, I want to write more on HP. But, as I am fighting for my life, I wonder what happens to what I write, and want to make plans for my husband should I find myself on the short end of the stick.
   Is there something I need to do or some form I need to fill out so that my husband can be the recipient of all the wealth I can accrue on hubpages.
   Has anyone else considered this? Does anyone else have any answers?
   Thanks so much.
   Cindy Murdoch
   homesteadbound

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      Matthew Meyerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      We have an FAQ entry for this very question as many people wonder if their writing can remain online.
      http://hubpages.com/faq/#deceasedusers
      You may also want to make sure that whomever you would like has access to all your other related accounts as well (AdSense, Amazon, eBay, email, Paypal, etc.)
      
      Google, for example, has a way for you to set what happens to your account after some period of inactivity.
      http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/ … -with.html
      I think Facebook has something as well.
      http://mashable.com/2013/02/13/facebook-after-death/
      On a more personal note, I wish you the the best of health in the new year!

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         Anna Marie Bowmanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I had no idea that the HP staff covered this, but it seems that they have. I have known some great writers on here who have passed away over the years. I don't know what happened to their earnings, if their families claimed them, or whatever, but I do know that some of their pages are still up. 
         
         Cindy,  I hope you recover soon, and that you never have to worry about this issue for a very long time.

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      FlourishAnywayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Although I do not have an answer for your question, Cindy, I wanted to encouarge you and let you know that you are in my thoughts.  You raise a good question with inactive accounts.  I do not recall language relating to this in the TOS.  You may want to suggest a solution to HP (as some sites do allow users to pre-specify what happens Google+ may be one).  You may also want to provide your husband a list of passwords.

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         wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Passwords are necessary.  While income will continue to flow, it will go to the deceased person, and sooner or later the IRS is going to notice.  Given all the appropriate ID's and passwords, the survivor can reset all the tax numbers and such to become the rightful owner.

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            Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            +1
            
            That's why it's important to have all your usernames and passwords written down in a notebook, with information as to what each site is for.  That way, whoever inherits your work can update your account with new tax info, contact details etc. 
            
            That's far more secure and reliable than having all your passwords saved on your PC, or remembered by a software program.   
            
            Research has shown that it's highly unlikely someone breaking into your house will be looking for passwords - they'll be looking for valuables to steal.  So a notebook is pretty safe, especially if it's filed away.   Whereas all software is hackable.

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      Solarasposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Prayers to you and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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      Secretabundanceposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Cindy:
      
      Wishing you speedy recovery to great health!  Think positive and believe, hope you will feel better. 
      
      Interesting question!  Have been underestimated the value of hubpages till now.  Thanks for the value add question.

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   5. 89

      awordloverposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Since some time has passed on the posting of your question, I hope you are experiencing better health. Although Matthew Meyer has adequately answered you with the same links I would offer to you, I wanted to answer about how this account was handled.
      
      awordlover's account was faced with this question in May 2013. Anyone whom you trust with your sign on and password information can access and maintain your account without filing any paperwork with the websites (most of them) to notify of change of handling, as long as the original screen names stay in place.
      
      awordlover's husband wanted her work to stay on HubPages and other sites she belonged to, but he also wanted the work that was in her files to be uploaded.  However, it all needed to be researched to make sure the information was current to publishing date as well as updating links and adding photos. The fact that there is a modest income from her work was also a factor.  awordlover has a small following (about 100) and it was noticed that she wasn't here anymore. 
      
      Her husband asked three of her writer friends to take over moderating her HP account, as well as the websites where she was a contributor.  At the time, awordlover had two books in various stages of publishing which also needed attention.  He had her sign on and password information, he just didn't have the time to dedicate to all that had to be done.  Of the original 3 moderators, now it is only me.  I won't go into detail on how we handled awordlover's account here. We explained it in awordlover's hub "Passing The Torch." 
      
      If awordlover had not shared her sign on/password information with her husband and that she wanted her work to continue, he would have dropped it and just left the account the way it was - open for all to read but with no new contributions. By continuing the work, awordlover is still contributing to the online community.
      
      I suggest to anyone reading this that even if you don't want any new work added, and if you only want your work to be moderated (or deleted), to please give your information to a trusted source. Or you can write it all in a notebook to safeguard all your passwords and sign on information for your other internet sites and online stores and banking information. Providing this valuable information will save a lot of research and legwork for those left behind.
      Rachael O'Halloran for Anne DiGeorge (awordlover)

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   PoeticPhilosophyposted 10 years ago

   Sorry to hear that, but I want to encourage you to look into the "actual" benefits of marijuana if you haven't, as it's proven to cure almost any disease there is! Multiple cancer-patients have been completely cured by the treatment of marijuana. Hope that helps, all the best to you.

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      chasmacposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sure you mean well, and I agree that marijuana has valuable medicinal properties, but the claim that it's "proven to CURE almost any disease" (including cancer in multiple cases) is not only false, it's highly irresponsible advice to give to a cancer sufferer.
      Marijuana may indeed offer some relief, but it's NOT a cure, so please don't spread false hope by telling anyone that it is.
      
      @ Cindy - Live long and prosper

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         PoeticPhilosophyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         LOL, oh. I did my research, believe me. I suggest you do yours.

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            Solarasposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Write a hub on it!  I'd like to read that.

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3. 82

   homesteadboundposted 10 years ago

   Thank y'all! I appreciate your response.

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      Earl Noah Bernsbyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Good luck in your fight, Cindy.  You are in my thoughts and prayers!

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      1. 82

         homesteadboundposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, Earl. Still fighting and praying.

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            Barbara Kayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Cindy, Prayers will be sent for you. Keep up the fight. One of my friends was given 3 months - 12 years ago! She was swarmed by prayers though.

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         PegCole17posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Good question for sure. What if? Nice to know there is a ready answer.
         
         As you go through these difficulties in your life, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
         All the best to you Cindy.
         Peg

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4. 93

   Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years ago

   Bless you, Cindy. You are a brave and compassionate woman. My suggestion to your question is to make sure that your bank account,  where the PayPal payments go to, also has your husband's name on it and add your husband's name to the PayPal account so he can transfer funds to the bank account -- I am sure this is possible. Also, just leave your hubs as they are so he can continue to receive the residual income. Hope that helps answer your question. This is something we should all think about, so thanks for bringing it up.
   Prayers and blessings to you.

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5. 93

   Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years ago

   Oh! also check with HP owners to find out the legality of sharing your HP account with your husband.

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6. 90

   srsddnposted 10 years ago

   Thanks, Cindy, for raising this question. There are a few questions many hesitate to ask and you are brave to raise it to the benefit of all the Hubbers. I think issue is now clear to every one. I wish you a speedy recovery and I am sure with your determination you will come out of it.

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7. 81

   rohanfelixposted 10 years ago

   Dear Cindy, I don't have an answer to your question, but I want you to know that I have said a prayer for you. With God, nothing is impossible.

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8. 60

   thumbi7posted 10 years ago

   Hi Cindy,
   Both of us joined HP at around the same time. You used to publish wonderful hubs. I enjoyed reading your hubs related to farm, chicken and egg though I didn't leave a comment every time. Suddenly you became silent and I thought you left HP. I am glad to know that you are around and writing again.
   I see many breast cancer patients. All types of breast cancers are not aggressive. People with breast cancer live for many years and sometimes die of some other reason.
   I hope that yours is a 'good' one and I wish the best of health in 2014 and many more years to come
   
   About your question, I feel it is good for anyone of us to plan ahead
   
   take care..

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9. 88

   suzettenaplesposted 10 years ago

   Cindy:  You are going to beat this cancer!  Don't give up and don't think about dying.  You are brave and think everyday that there are good, healthy little pacman cells  in your body (remember that original computer game?) eating up all those cancer cells even as we speak and write! 
   
   As for your question:  Write a will and leave your account to your husband or whomever else you want to.  That way, no one else can take control of your hubpages account or your writings.  As for whatever money you are making, again, in the will specify who are to get your earnings and leave any paypal accounts to your husband or whomever.
   
   I predict you have a long life ahead of you and doctors don't know everything.  The will to live is stronger than any doctor's prognosis I have found.

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10. 67

    cindyvineposted 10 years ago

    Hang in there Cindy! I survived breast cancer twice and thyroid cancer.  It can be done!

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11. 78

    Kathleen Cochranposted 10 years ago

    Cindy:  I think most of us write to be immortal, to contribute something that will out live us.  But you have much left to say and many of us anxiously want to hear all of it. 
    Strength for your fight.  Strength for your words.  We're listening for them.

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12. 85

    sparksterposted 10 years ago

    I made a post about what happens to our online content afyter we die over at Bubblews a few days ago.  Personally, I plan to leave all my accounts to my children in my will, so that they can benefit from the income.

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    1. 82

       homesteadboundposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Sparkster - be sure to leave the passwords as well. Without the passwords, they will never be able to access what you have willed to them.

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13. 82

    homesteadboundposted 10 years ago

    Once again, thanks to all!

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14. 74

    brakel2posted 10 years ago

    Hi Cindy. I know what a good writer you are. and keep up the good work. Don't give up. You might email Just Ask Susan as she had similar issues. Praying for your health. Hugs. Audrey.   And thanks Rachael for your info which can help others

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