Recent data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by Today’s Wills and Probate has shown the number of lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) granted annually has tripled between 2010 and 2015.

This may come as a bit of a surprise to some - in the latest news from Facebook they are allowing users to choose a legacy contact to take control of their account after they have passed away. According to a blog post from the social network, the site is "a place to share and connect with friends and family [and] remember and honour those we've lost"; with this in mind, the profile of a deceased loved one can become "a memorial of their life", updated and maintained by those who love them.