Attorney Kelly Dancy Speaks Out on Digital Legacy and Online Exploitation
Originally aired on TMJ4 News | YouTube Segment: “Mother Outraged Over Website Exploiting Daughter’s Death”
In a heartbreaking news segment, TMJ4 highlighted the story of a grieving Wisconsin mother whose daughter’s final moments were shared without consent on a disturbing website. The situation has sparked renewed concerns over the legal gray areas surrounding digital assets and posthumous privacy.
Attorney Kelly Dancy of Walny Legal Group LLC was featured in the report, providing legal perspective on the limits of current legislation. She noted that:
“Really, the law does not provide a whole lot of protection for assets once you put them out there.”
Dancy emphasized the importance of planning ahead by organizing and securing digital information, including usernames, passwords, and account access instructions for online content and social media. Without proactive planning or state-level laws in place, loved ones are left without legal tools to protect or control a deceased person’s digital presence.
Currently, Wisconsin does not have legislation allowing personal representatives access to digital assets—a protection only granted in a handful of states. As the mother in the report continues advocating for change, Dancy echoed the growing need for comprehensive digital estate planning.
Full segment available at:
Watch the TMJ4 video on YouTube