Facebook Announces New Policy for Estate Planning

Facebook announced Thursday that it will allow members to designate a friend or family member to be a "Legacy Contact" to make one last post, and manage their account, upon death.

Until now, Facebook verified the death and "memorialized" the account for deceased members. Their account could then be viewed, but not edited or managed.

Use this procedure to designate a Facebook 'Legacy Contact':

1. On the right side of your Facebook page, click on the downward-facing arrow to show the drop-down menu. Click on "Settings."
2. Choose "Security," then "Legacy Contact" at the bottom of the page.
3. Choose your Legacy Contact. 
4. Choose the options you want your Legacy Contact to have.

The system will offer an option to send a message to the designated person.