In Paige, the people you trust to carry out your wishes and help settle your affairs are called delegates. Choosing them is one of the most personal and important decisions you’ll make as you build your plan.
Your Paige plan is for them as much as it is for you. Every document, password, and message you add makes things a little easier for your delegates, who may be settling your affairs while they’re also grieving. Paige is built to give them everything they need in one place, so they can carry out your wishes with confidence and have more room to take care of themselves.
What Is a Delegate in Paige?
A delegate is someone you name to act on your behalf after you pass. You can think of them as a steward for your plan: the person who makes sure your wishes are followed and helps your loved ones through the practical steps.
They will be given read-only access to your entire plan upon your passing, so they can see, and act on the information you’ve added and organized for your loved ones.
Upon your passing, they will report this to us, and we will take them through the necessary verification steps. It’s a straightforward process, and a real human will be there to support them throughout.
What Your Delegates Can See
While you’re alive, your delegates can only see the documents, passwords, and other information you choose to share with them. They can view it but can’t edit it, and you can change what you share at any time.
Should you pass, one of your delegates can log into Paige, go to Shared With Me, and select Report a Passing. Paige will ask for documentation to verify the passing, such as a death certificate, an obituary, or a burial permit.
Once the passing is verified, your delegates get read-only access to your full account, including your will, insurance policies, account details, passwords and anything else you’ve added, with the exception of memories and messages shared privately to others.
If you choose, Delegates can also send the messages and memories you create in Paige. If you set a message to “Delegates can trigger,” your delegate decides when to send it. That way a birthday note for a grandchild, a message for a milestone, or a personal goodbye arrives at the right moment.
So you don’t need to worry about whether you remembered to send someone the house deed or write down your logins. If it’s in Paige, the people you trust will be able to find it.
How to Choose Your Delegates
We suggest naming at least two delegates. Life is unpredictable, and a second person means someone can always step in. It also means no one has to carry the responsibility alone.Many people choose a spouse or partner, an adult child, a sibling, or a close friend. Some ask a professional they already know and trust, like a financial advisor or an attorney.
As you think about each person, ask yourself:
- Do they know me well and understand what I want?
- Are they organized, dependable, and likely to be available?
- Do they have my best interests and those of my loved ones at heart
- Are they ready to take on some responsibility during an emotional time?
- Do I trust them completely?
If your answers about someone feel right, the next step is to talk with them.
Why Delegates Are Important
Your loved ones may not know where your will is kept, which insurance policies you have, or how to get into your accounts. Without someone who knows your plan exists, that can turn into weeks of searching through drawers and calling companies at an already painful time. A delegate is the person who opens your plan for everyone else, and someone your loved ones can lean on.
Talk With Your Delegates Before You Add Them
When you add a delegate in Paige, they’ll get an email asking them to accept or decline the role. We’d encourage you to talk with them before that email arrives. Hearing it from you shows them you’ve thought this through and that you trust them, and it gives them time to ask questions and think it over.
This doesn’t have to be a single conversation. Here are some things you may want to talk about over time:
- Whether you have a will, and where the original is kept
- What your healthcare advance directive says
- Whether you’d like to name them as your durable power of attorney or healthcare proxy, so you can complete that paperwork together
- Any family situations they should know about
- What you’ve stored in Paige and what you plan to share with them now
If they don’t have a Paige account yet, they’ll be prompted to create one when they accept. It’s free for delegates. You can also refer them for a discounted account of their own, so they can make their own plan.
It’s Okay If Someone Says No
Sometimes the person you ask will tell you they can’t take this on. They may already be caring for a parent or a young child, or they may just know it isn’t the right fit for them right now. It’s much better to hear that today, while there’s plenty of time to ask someone else. Thank them for being honest, go back to your list, and reach out to the next person.
If someone says yes and your feelings change later, you can remove them and add someone new. It’s a good idea to look at your delegates every so often, especially after a marriage, a divorce, a move, or a loss.
Choosing your delegates and talking with them openly is a real act of care for the people you love. When you’re ready, go to People in your Paige account and add the first person you trust to carry your plan forward.
