What it is
Social-media disposition records whether a person would prefer a profile preserved, memorialized, exported or deleted, subject to provider options and lawful authority.
Why it exists
It helps loved ones avoid making irreversible choices without knowing the person’s preferences.
When it may help
It helps organize accounts, legacy settings and any page or community responsibilities associated with them.
When it may not fit
It does not guarantee a provider offers every desired outcome or permit someone to impersonate the account holder.
Tradeoffs and access
Private messages, shared content, business pages and licensed media can have different access rules. Public remembrance and private data preservation are separate decisions.
Tax considerations
Income-producing accounts may involve business and tax records; closing a social profile does not settle those obligations.
Common mistakes
Avoid treating all platforms identically, deleting a business administrator account without reviewing dependencies or sharing private messages broadly.
Fictional example
Fictional Sam records a preference for memorialization on one platform and deletion on another, then checks each provider’s supported process.
Questions to ask
What should remain public? What needs preservation? Who has authority? Are business pages or other accounts dependent on this login?
What to record in Planstead
Record account purpose, chosen disposition, contact and safe instruction reference in Digital Estate, without credentials.
Next step
Configure available provider settings and communicate preferences to the person expected to help.
Sources
Primary sources reviewed 2026-09-14. A source describes its own rules; the fictional examples illustrate questions, not a recommendation.