End-of-life planning is about more than just storing documents; it’s about ensuring that your loved ones can easily access your critical information when they need it most. Some people choose cloud storage platforms like Google Drive and iCloud, and even Excel sheets to collate and share information to safeguard their legacy, essentially using these traditional tools as end-of-life planning tools. Let’s explore how to use these traditional tools for end-of-life planning and why they may fall short for most users.

The cloud storage dilemma: Accessibility, but at what cost?

Cloud storage platforms like Google Drive and iCloud are popular for their ease of use, offering device-agnostic access to documents from anywhere. However, when it comes to end-of-life planning, these platforms present several challenges:

• Disorganized document storage

While cloud storage offers folders, they aren’t specifically designed for end-of-life planning. Important documents like your will, insurance policies, financial records, and medical instructions can easily become disorganized, if not isolated in these storage solutions, making it difficult for loved ones to quickly locate what they need in an emergency. The lack of a structured organization system increases the risk of stress and confusion in crucial times.

• Limited access control

Cloud storage platforms allow you to share files, but they don’t offer the nuanced access control required for legacy planning. You can’t assign specific permissions to different documents. For example, you might want your financial records accessible only to your accountant, but not to your family members. Or you may want to restrict access to your will until after your passing. Cloud storage doesn’t provide the level of control that’s crucial for safeguarding sensitive information.

• Vulnerability of passwords

Cloud storage relies on traditional passwords for security, which can be a significant vulnerability for end-of-life planning. Passwords are easy to forget or become inaccessible if linked to outdated phone numbers or email accounts. This creates a major issue for your loved ones, who may be unable to access critical documents without the correct login credentials. If your passwords are lost or outdated, your family could be locked out of your most important files.

Excel sheets: Convenient, but not for legacy planning

While Excel is a flexible tool for organizing data, it is not designed to securely manage sensitive end-of-life information.

• Security issues

Excel sheets are not built with strong security measures. While you can password-protect a file, Excel’s encryption methods are weak and can be easily bypassed. Since Excel was never designed to handle sensitive personal or financial data securely, using it for end-of-life planning exposes you to unnecessary risk.

• No access control

Excel lacks the ability to assign specific access levels or permissions to individual documents. When you share an Excel sheet, anyone with access can view or edit the entire document, which could lead to unwantedunauthorized access to each information with everyone who the excel is shared withsensitive data. This is particularly problematic for documents that require strict access control, such as wills, medical records or financial statements.

• Risk of human error

Excel requires manual input, and human error can easily compromise the integrity of your information. A misplaced decimal, incorrect date, or forgotten update could result in critical oversights, leading to confusion or financial mismanagement for your loved ones. Given the high stakes involved in end-of-life planning, these types of errors could have serious consequences.

The limitations of traditional solutions: why you need a better approach

Both cloud storage and Excel sheets are useful for day-to-day informationdocument storage but fall short when it comes to managing your legacy. They offer limited organization, lack granular control over access, and are vulnerable to security risks. When dealing with your future, your legacy, and the security of your loved ones, these traditional tools are insufficient. 

If you’re looking to ensure that your important documents are stored securely, organized clearly, and accessible only by those you trust, you need a dedicated platform designed for this purpose. With a solution like WALLT, you can have peace of mind knowing that your information is well-organized, secure, and accessible under your terms. WALLT offers end-to-end encrypted storage, customizable access controls, and a structured document organization system designed for end-of-life planning, giving you and your loved ones a reliable way to manage and access your legacy.

Protect your legacy today by choosing a platform designed to secure your future.