A Resolution for Privacy

2024 begins with protecting you and your family against doxxing

January’s a month of reflection for many of us. That reflection often results in  hitting the reset button on our lives to become our better selves in the coming year. Dry January, digital detoxes and upping daily step goals are common approaches to leveling up your personal, mental and physical well-being in 2024.

This year, start with a secure home. One in five Americans experiences doxxing, or the sharing of your personal data, especially your home address, with the intent to terrorize you. Doxxing has the potential to impact your physical and mental health. Setting the best intention for the new year starts with defanging doxxing: put your home in a revocable trust. 

TRUSTING A TRUST

Most of us don’t consider working with estate planning lawyers until later in life. A revocable trust affords you and your loved ones many financial and personal benefits, among them a much easier transfer of your estate, avoiding a protracted probate process. Outside of these conventional benefits, a revocable trust also provides a way for you to safeguard your identity and address. 

At Brightlines, our number one recommendation for clients who own their home is to create a revocable trust. A trust removes the connection between you and the place that you live on your public records and across data brokers—without having to continually request opt-outs.

BE ANONYMOUS

The biggest mistake people make when naming their trust is using their own name. When creating a trust, you can name it anything. Best practice is to name it for the property’s address. All we ask: make sure it’s not named anything that would personally identify the property as yours. 

A RESOLUTE RESOLUTION

Talk to your financial advisor about getting started with securing a revocable trust. This is an easy way for you to provide the safety you need to achieve all your big plans in 2024!