PARENTS & HOMEOWNERS: MY 7-STEP ESTATE PLANNING PROCESS WILL PROTECT YOUR HEIRS
From Creditors, Predators & Bad Choices, And Will Help You Become a (Bigger) Hero to Your Family!
Your Child Is an Influencer. Who Controls Their Brand If Something Happens to You?
Your Child Is an Influencer. Who Controls Their Brand If Something Happens to You?
Camarillo Estate Planning Attorney Eric Ridley
Many parents are helping their kids build an online presence, sometimes intentionally, sometimes just by handing them a phone. Some kids have YouTube channels, Instagram accounts, brand sponsorships, and real audiences generating real income. What most families don’t realize is that a child’s online platform can be a valuable asset, and like any asset, it needs legal protection.
When a Social Media Account Becomes a Business
A child’s online presence can turn into something far more than a hobby. Sponsored posts, ad revenue, affiliate links, merchandise, brand partnerships: these create actual financial value. In many cases, these accounts function like small businesses with contracts, income streams, and intellectual property rights attached to them.
Most parents haven’t included any of this in their estate planning. That means if something happens to the parent or guardian managing the account, no one may have clear authority to run it, access it, or protect it. Platforms routinely restrict account transfers, and without proper legal documentation, even family members can be locked out.
The Two Problems Families Run Into
The first is control. If you manage the login credentials, brand deals, and business communications for your child’s account, what happens if you’re suddenly unavailable? Without clear authorization, nobody else may be able to legally step in.
The second is continuity. A growing platform may have sponsorship obligations, posting schedules, and pending payments. Without a plan, those opportunities and the income tied to them can evaporate. In some cases, accounts get frozen or removed entirely when ownership can’t be verified.
What You Can Do Now
Planning ahead means documenting account details, defining who has authority to manage the platform, and making sure contracts and earnings are structured properly. It also means coordinating your estate planning documents so that legal authority over these digital assets is clear and enforceable.
Let’s Talk
If your child has an online presence that generates income, it’s worth making sure it’s protected. I help families create plans that address both traditional and digital assets. Start with a Peace of Mind Planning Session. I’ll answer your questions, walk through your options, and explain my flat-fee pricing. Mention this article and I’ll waive the $350 session fee.
