Imagine losing a loved one and being left with not only the heartbreak but also the overwhelming question: “Where do we even begin?”  Along with the emotional toll of grief, families are often left with the daunting mountain of responsibilities: unpaid bills, financial asset locations, hidden accounts, and missing documents.  But there’s hope…

At Black Dog Forensics, we like to help shed light on these difficult situations.  We have found that Digital Forensics offers a way to uncover and organize essential information, helping families regain control during a difficult time. This guide explores how this process can ease the burden and bring much-needed clarity.

 

Facing the Mountain of Uncertainty

The passing of a loved one truly can feel like you are staring at a giant mountain that you have to navigate.  It’s a story we hear all too often.  We are here to be your guide and remind you that you just have to take one step at a time.  Even in well managed estates, there are often questions that people don’t know how to answer.  Having navigated this situation many times, we find that the passing of a loved one often leaves behind a home filled with memories—and a mountain of unanswered questions. These include:

  • Are there sentimental items stored digitally, like photos or videos?
  • What passwords did my loved one use?
  • What financial institutions did they access and are there any unknown or forgotten assets not included in estate documents?
  • What online accounts did they have, and how do we access them?
  • What and where are any unpaid bills or recurring payments we need to address?
  • Did they leave behind will updates, changes, or other important legal documents?

Know that many families face these challenges, and often digital forensics can answer these questions and bring some level of closure. Even when a will or estate plan exists, it often doesn’t include a roadmap for the digital age.  The digital world, while convenient in life, can be a labyrinth in death.  Password-protected devices, online banking, and paperless billing can make it nearly impossible to piece together someone’s financial and social life without a little help to point you in the right direction. 

 

The Struggle of Knowing Where to Start

For some, the process begins with opening envelopes piled on the kitchen counter, but what happens when the bills are electronic? What if a mortgage statement isn’t mailed, or an insurance policy exists only as an email?

 This is where Black Dog Forensics can step in to serve as a Guide.  We look to examine digital devices, locked or otherwise, to help you establish waypoints in your loved one’s passing.  By that we can identify key history of a computer user's activity even for loved one’s who might have deleted history, or somehow attempted to hide their activities. 

That’s begs the question, why hire an expert when we have someone in the family who is “good” at computers.  Accessing a loved one’s digital accounts isn’t always straightforward. Passwords may be unknown, and other hurdles might present themselves.  We strongly caution people by carefully analyzing a loved one’s device on your own—like their computer, smartphone, or tablet.  We have seen several instances where failed attempts from “helpful” family have resulted in the loss of cherished pictures and videos. 

This is why working with a digital forensics professional is essential. We ensure that all data recovery is handled legally, ethically, and with the utmost respect for the deceased.

If you’re feeling lost and don’t know where to start, here are a few steps to consider before you even pick up the phone to consult with a Digital Forensic Expert:

  • Secure Devices: Keep your loved one’s computer, phone, and other devices safe from damage, tampering, and theft from other “loved ones”.
  • Gather Documents: Collect any paperwork or files that might hint at passwords, account details, or other obligations.

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed but remember – you don’t have to face this alone.  We’re here to guide you step by step.  At Black Dog Forensics we make the start easy.  Just give us a call and let us know of your loved one’s passing.  We will help to shed light into their life by providing a comprehensive report of a user’s activity on electronic devices as well as work to answer any specific questions you might have.

 

How Digital Forensics Brings Order to Chaos

Over the years we have helped families navigate these challenging times.  Below are just a few memorable instances that stick out:

  • Passing before his time: A son passed away before his prime even began.  Parents were locked out of his cell phone, which in today’s world was his living diary.  Black Dog was able to perform cellular device forensics and analysis and bypass security to access the device.  This helped to provide much needed information into the son’s life and ensure the family had cherished photos, videos, and even personal song lyrics that were kept in notes.  Although there is no true closure to the passing of a child, this helped the family by providing some level of comfort into further understanding their son. 
  • Lifelong Writer: A beloved author who had written many published books over their life passed away.  During the forensic analysis of the computer, eight (8) unpublished books and manuscripts were located.  These books were not only unknown stories to the family that the author had spent countless hours on, but also untapped financial assets that proved to be lucrative.
  • Fraudulent Family: A third-generation farmer passed away.   His most current last will and testament went against what the family believed to be his legacy.  During the investigation it was found that a “long lost family member” had come in and altered the family member’s “digital will” during holiday times.  Through careful analysis of the computer, we were able to provide evidence to prove the will that was drafted was not the original will and show the fraudulent family member was on the computer in the middle of the night when the farmer was sleeping.  A digital will recovery was performed on the document for former versions of the will.  Based upon careful analysis of other activity on the computer an original will was located.  Thanks to the evidence we provided, the courts restored the original will, ensuring the farmer’s true legacy was upheld.
  • Final Wishes: A mother passed away without legally clarifying and securing her estate.  The family was peaceful and there was no arguing; however, through careful forensic examination of the mother’s laptop computer a “Final Wishes” letter was found.  The letter had been started and worked on many times, but never finished.  It included vital information, but more importantly it included a personally written section for each child to express the mother’s love and gratitude towards each child.  The “Final Wishes” letter also include details of how she wanted her ashes to be spread and the “party” she wanted because her passing was to be “celebrated” and not mourned.

 

Beyond the Estate: Preserving Personal Legacies

In all the stress of managing an estate, the personal meaningful legacy of your loved one’s life can become an afterthought.  Digital forensics doesn’t just locate financial assets—it also helps preserve a loved one’s personal legacy and bring about some level of closure.

Photos stored in the cloud or on electronic devices, heartfelt emails, or unpublished writings can all be recovered, offering families a way to connect with their loved one even after they’re gone.  These recovered items often become treasured keepsakes, providing comfort during a difficult time.

 

Preparing for the Future: Planning Your Own Digital Legacy

If this guide resonates with you, consider taking steps now to plan your own digital legacy. Keeping a list of accounts, passwords, and key documents in a secure location can spare your loved ones the confusion and heartache of sorting through your digital life.  We have found that secure password managers, estate planning software, and regular communication with family members can all make a world of difference.

 

Finding Help When You Need It Most

We understand that losing a loved one is hard enough without the added stress of navigating their estate. At Black Dog Forensics, we’re here to help families find clarity and peace. Our digital forensic experts work with care and compassion to uncover the information you need while respecting your loved one’s privacy.

 

If you’re feeling lost, reach out today. Together, we’ll find a way forward.