The Difference Between Wills and Digital Messages

Wills vs. Digital Messages: Two Differences

Both "wills" and "digital messages" are means of leaving messages for loved ones, but their purpose and effectiveness differ significantly.

Simple Comparison Table

| Item | Will | Digital Message | |------|------|-----------------| | Legal Effect | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Asset Distribution | ✅ Possible | ❌ Not possible | | Emotional Messages | △ Possible but not primary purpose | ✅ Primary purpose | | Ease of Creation | △ Strict requirements | ✅ High flexibility | | Ease of Changes | △ Requires effort | ✅ Can change anytime | | Cost | Tens of thousands of yen~ | Free to a few hundred yen/month | | Disclosure Timing | After death, validated by family court | Auto-sent at set timing | | Storage Method | Strict storage required | Safely stored in cloud |

What is a Will: Legally Binding Final Declaration

Definition of a Will

A will is a document with legal effect created according to methods prescribed by civil law.

Main purposes:

1. Specify asset distribution methods
2. Designate heirs
3. Designate will executor
4. Designate guardian for minor children

Types of Wills

1. Holographic Will

[Features]
・Write entire document by hand
・No cost
・Can create anytime

[Requirements]
・Entire text, date, and name written by hand
・Seal required
・Asset inventory can be typed (seal required)

[Advantages]
・Cost: Free
・Easy to create
・Private

[Disadvantages]
・Risk of invalidation due to formal defects
・Risk of loss or tampering
・Family court validation required

Example:

Last Will and Testament

I hereby declare the following will:

1. The home property (1-2-3 XX Town, XX District, Tokyo)
   shall be inherited by my wife, XX.

2. Deposits at XX Bank shall be divided equally
   between my eldest son XX and eldest daughter XX.

3. I designate attorney XX as executor of this will.

Reiwa XX Year XX Month XX Day
1-2-3 XX Town, XX District, Tokyo
Taro Yamada [Seal]

2. Notarial Will

[Features]
・Created by notary
・Most reliable and safe
・No validation required

[Procedure]
1. Make appointment at notary office
2. Prepare required documents
3. Two witnesses present
4. Notary reads aloud, sign and seal

[Cost]
・Varies by asset amount
・Estimate: ¥30,000-100,000

[Advantages]
・No worry about formal defects
・Original stored at notary office (no loss risk)
・No validation required, immediate execution

[Disadvantages]
・Costly
・Requires witnesses
・Time-consuming to create

3. Secret Will

[Features]
・Content kept secret while notary certifies existence
・Rarely used now

[Disadvantages]
・Costly
・Validation required
・Risk of formal defects

What Can Be Specified in a Will

Items with legal effect:

1. Inheritance matters

   • Who inherits what
   • Designation of inheritance portions
   • Designation of estate division method

2. Asset disposal matters

   • Bequest (transfer of property to non-heirs)
   • Donations

3. Status matters

   • Recognition (of children born out of wedlock)
   • Designation of minor guardian
   • Disinheritance of heirs

4. Will execution matters

   • Designation of will executor

Items without legal effect (supplementary remarks):

• Messages of gratitude to family
• Funeral preferences
• Gratitude for caregiving
• Wishes for family

Supplementary remarks have no legal binding force but can be written.

Will Disclosure Process

[For Holographic Wills]

Death
 ↓
Discovery of will
 ↓
Application for validation at family court
 ↓
Validation date (1-2 months later)
 ↓
Issuance of validation certificate
 ↓
Will execution possible

*Validation required before opening (¥50,000 fine for unauthorized opening)


[For Notarial Wills]

Death
 ↓
Confirm existence of will (inquiry at notary office)
 ↓
Obtain will
 ↓
Immediate execution possible (no validation required)

What is a Digital Message: Means to Convey Emotions and Information

Definition of Digital Message

A digital message is a message automatically sent in case of emergency using an online service.

Main purposes:

1. Express gratitude and affection
2. Share practical information
3. Digital asset transition information
4. Share emergency contacts

Characteristics of Digital Messages

Advantages

1. High flexibility in creation

・No strict format requirements
・Can rewrite anytime, as many times as needed
・Can express emotions honestly
・Can attach photos and videos

2. Reliably delivered

・Automatically sent at set timing
・Can send individual messages to multiple people
・Delivery logs retained
・No worry about loss

3. Optimal for sharing practical information

・Passwords and account information
・Digital account lists
・Emergency contacts
・Procedure manuals

4. Low cost

・Basic features available on free plan
・Premium plan only ¥100-/month
・Dramatically cheaper than tens of thousands for notarial will

Disadvantages (Limitations)

1. No legal effect

・Cannot specify asset distribution
・Cannot change inheritance proportions
・No legal enforcement power

2. Service continuity

・Operating company could go bankrupt
・Risk of service termination
・Security concerns

3. Technical issues

・Internet connection required
・Be careful of email address changes
・May not arrive due to spam filters

Points for Distinguishing Use: Which to Choose

Case 1: Have assets, multiple heirs

Recommended: Will (essential) + Digital Message (supplementary)

[Will]
・Specify inheritance destination for real estate
・Document deposit division method
・Specify inheritance proportions

[Digital Message]
・Individual messages to each heir
・List of bank accounts and card information
・Inheritance procedure steps
・Digital asset information

Reason:

• Legally binding will essential for asset distribution
• Digital messages supplement with emotional messages and practical information

Case 2: Single heir (spouse only, etc.)

Recommended: Digital Message (basic) + Will (as needed)

[When Digital Message Sufficient]
・No problem with statutory inheritance shares
・Small amount of assets
・Emphasis on messages of gratitude

[When Will Also Needed]
・Want to specify particular assets
・Want to designate will executor
・Desire greater certainty

Case 3: Single, no children

Recommended: Will + Digital Message

[Will]
・Specify inheritance proportions for parents or siblings
・Specify donation destinations

[Digital Message]
・Messages of gratitude to friends
・Digital account handling methods
・Funeral preferences
・Pet adoption arrangements

Reason:

• Range of statutory heirs becomes wider, so clarify with will
• Digital messages for non-heirs like friends

Case 4: Young people, few assets

Recommended: Digital Message (start first)

[Priority]
1. Create digital message
2. Messages of gratitude to parents or partner
3. Organize digital account information
4. Consider will when assets increase in future

Reason:

• Low risk of inheritance disputes
• Digital message sufficient considering cost and effort
• Important to start with something simple

Case 5: Business owner, sole proprietor

Recommended: Will (essential) + Digital Message (important)

[Will]
・Method for succession of business assets
・Instructions for business continuation/closure
・Share inheritance

[Digital Message]
・Client lists
・Ongoing project information
・Password and access information
・Business transition manual

Reason:

• Business continuation/closure requires legal procedures
• Large volume of practical transition information

Effective Use When Combining

Combining wills and digital messages allows each to complement the other's weaknesses.

Ideal Role Division

[Role of Will]
Legal determination of "what to whom for inheritance"

Example text:
---------------------------------------
Last Will and Testament

1. The home property shall be inherited by my wife XX.

2. Deposits at XX Bank shall be divided equally
   between eldest son XX and second son XX.

3. Stocks shall be inherited by eldest son XX.

Reiwa XX Year XX Month XX Day
Taro Yamada [Seal]
---------------------------------------


[Role of Digital Message]
Explanation of "why that decision" and emotional expression

Example text:
---------------------------------------
Subject: Message to Family

To my beloved family

I specified asset distribution in my will,
but here I want to convey my feelings.

[To my wife]
I left you our home because I want you
to continue living safely in our familiar place.
Thank you for always supporting me.

[To eldest son]
I entrusted you with the stocks because
I hope you'll continue the business.
Feel free to make your own decisions.

[To second son]
I divided the deposits so you can use them freely.
I'm always supporting you pursuing your dreams.

Below is practical information:
[Bank account list]
[Contacts]
[Procedure steps]
---------------------------------------

Utilize Timing Differences

[Will]
Disclosed after family court validation after death (1-2 months later)
→ For legal procedures

[Digital Message]
Immediately sent at set timing (days to weeks later)
→ For emergency response

Usage example:

1. Digital Message (immediately after death)

   • Emergency contacts
   • Funeral home information
   • Services to cancel immediately
   • Messages of gratitude

2. Will (after validation)

   • Formal asset distribution
   • Real estate title transfer
   • Inheritance tax filing

Maintain Content Consistency

Ensure no contradictions between will and digital message.

NG example:

Will: "Divide deposits equally between eldest and second sons"
Digital message: "Give 70% of deposits to eldest son"
→ Contradictory and causes confusion

OK example:

Will: "Divide deposits equally between eldest and second sons"
Digital message: "Please divide equally according to law.
               Discuss together as brothers."
→ Consistent with supplementary explanation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can digital messages substitute for wills if I don't have one?

A. They have no legal effect but can serve as reference.

[With Digital Message Only]
・Inheritance follows statutory shares
・Messages have moral influence
・Cannot completely prevent disputes

[Recommended]
If you have assets, still consider creating a will.

Q2. Can I write "Please refer to digital message" in my will?

A. You can write it, but legal effect is limited.

As supplementary remarks in will:
"Please refer to my Dead Man's Switch
 message for details"

→ Effective as means to inform family
→ However, legal matters like asset distribution must be specified in will

Q3. Isn't it difficult to create both?

A. We recommend proceeding in stages.

[Step 1] Start with digital message (can do today)
・Write messages of gratitude
・Organize digital account information
・Register with Dead Man's Switch

[Step 2] Organize assets (within 1 month)
・Create asset inventory
・Discuss inheritance with family

[Step 3] Create will (as needed)
・Consult lawyer or judicial scrivener
・Consider notarial will

Conclusion: Use Both for Complete Preparation

Wills and digital messages are not opposing but complementary.

Ideal combination:

Will = Legal foundation (asset distribution)
   +
Digital message = Emotions and information (feelings and practicalities)
   =
Perfect ending plan

What you can start today:

1. First create digital message (free, right now)
2. Organize and list assets
3. Consider creating will in future

You don't need to be perfect. Progress step by step with what you can do.

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Related Articles:

• What is Digital End-of-Life Planning? Getting Started Guide
• Key Points for Creating Emergency Messages
• How Dead Man's Switch Works and How to Use It