Digital Asset Planning Lawyer in Medina, Tennessee

Medina Guide to Digital Asset Planning and Estate Integration

Digital asset planning addresses online accounts, electronic records, passwords, and digital currencies that form part of an individual’s estate. In Medina and across Tennessee, planning for these items prevents loss of access, preserves value, and ensures that your digital property is handled according to your wishes. This service helps you inventory assets, assign access instructions, and integrate those instructions with your overall estate documents. Working with a local firm like Jay Johnson Law Firm makes it easier to align online account plans with Tennessee probate rules and provide clear, practical steps for family members to follow when needed.

A thorough digital asset plan connects account details, access protocols, and legal authority so that family members can manage online affairs without unnecessary delay. This includes preparing directions for social media, email, cloud storage, photo libraries, domain names, and any digital currency wallets you may hold. The planning process considers both privacy and continuity, identifying who will be authorized to access accounts and how sensitive login information will be stored and transferred. For Medina residents, integrating digital asset instructions into broader estate and probate planning reduces uncertainty and helps maintain continuity after incapacity or death.

Why Digital Asset Planning Matters for Medina Residents

Digital assets often represent personal legacy, financial value, or business continuity, and without clear planning these items can become inaccessible or lost. A formal plan reduces the risk that family members will be locked out of accounts, unable to retrieve important documents, or left to navigate conflicting vendor policies. Proper planning also minimizes time-consuming probate complications by clarifying ownership and access. For people in Medina, proactive digital asset planning ensures that sensitive data is preserved and that account transitions happen in a way that protects privacy while honoring the account holder’s intentions.

About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Digital Assets

Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients in Medina and the surrounding areas with a focus on estate planning and probate matters, including digital asset planning. The firm emphasizes practical, clear guidance to help clients document online holdings and access instructions. Our attorneys work with clients to draft documents that align with Tennessee law, coordinate with other estate documents, and provide straightforward directions for trusted individuals. Clients benefit from a local practice that understands both the technical aspects of digital accounts and the legal steps needed to preserve and transfer them responsibly.

Understanding Digital Asset Planning and How It Fits Into Your Estate Plan

Digital asset planning starts with identifying what online property you own and deciding how each asset should be handled in the future. This process typically includes an inventory of accounts, documenting access methods, designating responsible persons, and choosing legal mechanisms that grant access when appropriate. It also considers privacy settings, terms of service limitations, and whether certain accounts should be closed, memorialized, or transferred. In Medina, creating a clear, legally compatible plan helps your family avoid delays and confusion following incapacity or death, and it provides peace of mind that your digital legacy will be handled according to your wishes.

The practical result of digital asset planning is a set of written instructions and documents that coordinate with your will, powers of attorney, and trust arrangements. That coordination ensures that the people you authorize can act on your behalf, access necessary data, and carry out transactions as needed. A plan also addresses secure storage of credentials, whether to use a password manager, and how to document hardware or backup drives. For many people, this work reduces future conflict and administrative burden by giving clear direction that is legally supportable under Tennessee probate procedures.

Defining Digital Assets and the Legal Considerations

Digital assets encompass a wide range of items that exist in electronic form: email and cloud storage, social media accounts, online photo libraries, domain names, digital contracts, loyalty accounts, and cryptocurrency holdings. Legally, these assets raise issues of access, ownership, and control because many service providers limit how account information may be transferred. Planning involves clarifying which assets you own outright, which are licensed under terms of service, and how legal authority will be granted to another person. Understanding these distinctions helps you design instructions that comply with provider policies and Tennessee law.

Key Elements of a Digital Asset Plan and How the Process Works

A comprehensive digital asset plan generally includes an inventory of accounts, written access instructions, designation of a responsible person to manage digital affairs, secure storage of credentials, and legal documents that authorize access. The planning process often begins with a confidential inventory meeting, followed by drafting or updating wills, powers of attorney, and any trust provisions that reference digital assets. It may also include arranging secure password management and documenting recovery steps for cryptocurrency wallets. Regular reviews and updates are important as accounts change and new platforms emerge.

Key Terms and Glossary for Digital Asset Planning

Knowing common terms helps you make informed decisions about digital asset planning. This glossary clarifies frequently used words such as digital asset, access authorization, digital representative, and cryptocurrency wallet. Each of these terms has practical implications for how accounts are inventoried, how access is granted, and how assets are transferred or closed. Understanding this language makes it easier to discuss options with your legal advisor and to document preferences in a way that family members and service providers can follow.

Digital Asset

A digital asset is any piece of information or property that exists in an electronic form and that holds value, sentiment, or functional importance. Examples include online bank and investment accounts, email, cloud-stored documents and photos, social media profiles, domain names, and digital currency. Each type of asset may be governed by different rules and service agreements, and some items may require special handling when transferring access. Recognizing what counts as a digital asset is a first step toward protecting it within an estate plan and ensuring it is addressed consistently with other legacy wishes.

Digital Representative

A digital representative is an individual or entity appointed to manage or gain access to digital accounts on behalf of another person, typically after incapacity or death. This role may be defined in a will, power of attorney, or specific authorization document and often includes instructions about which accounts to access, what actions to take, and privacy considerations. Selecting and documenting a digital representative helps provide a clear chain of responsibility, reduces disputes among family members, and makes it easier for service providers to respond to lawful requests while respecting applicable terms and state legal guidelines.

Access Authorization

Access authorization refers to the legal and practical permission granted to another person to access or manage your digital accounts. This can be accomplished through express language in powers of attorney, provisions in a trust, a separate digital asset authorization, or by using secure credential storage systems that designate a trusted user. Access authorization should address both routine management tasks and specific actions to be taken after incapacity or death, while balancing privacy concerns and compliance with terms of service for each platform.

Cryptocurrency Wallets

Cryptocurrency wallets store the private keys needed to access and transfer digital currencies. Planning for these wallets requires documenting who will hold the keys, how they will be accessed in the event of incapacity or death, and steps to transfer or liquidate holdings when necessary. Because wallet access often depends on hardware devices or seed phrases, secure storage and clear instructions are essential. Proper planning reduces the risk of permanent loss and ensures that any financial value held in digital currency is recoverable by designated persons under the account holder’s instructions.

Comparing Limited and Comprehensive Digital Asset Strategies

A limited approach to digital assets might involve documenting a few critical accounts and location of passwords, while a comprehensive approach inventories every account and integrates detailed instructions into legal documents. Limited plans can be quick and inexpensive but may leave gaps if additional accounts are discovered later. Comprehensive plans take more time and planning but provide broader protection and clearer direction for fiduciaries. Choosing between these options depends on the number and type of accounts, the value of digital holdings, and your preferences for privacy and ongoing administration.

When a Limited Approach May Be Appropriate:

Few Accounts and Low Financial Stakes

A limited approach may be suitable when an individual maintains only a handful of online accounts, those accounts carry minimal financial value, and trusted family members already know where to find passwords and devices. In such situations, a concise inventory and clear access notes can be enough to avoid short-term disruption. It is still wise to include basic instructions in estate documents so that these plans are legally recognized, but the level of detail can be simpler when digital holdings are limited and the potential for dispute or significant monetary loss is low.

Clear Beneficiary Designations and Direct Transfers

When account providers permit direct beneficiary designations or automatic transfer mechanisms, a limited digital asset plan can be effective. Accounts that offer explicit transfer options or that are tied to another asset where ownership is obvious may not require extensive documentation. Even so, providing basic written directions and secure storage of credentials ensures smoother transitions. A limited plan should still outline who holds authority and where essential information is stored so heirs can follow a straightforward path to access or close accounts as intended.

When a Comprehensive Digital Asset Plan Is Advisable:

Multiple Account Types and Complex Access Requirements

A comprehensive plan is recommended when a person maintains many different accounts across platforms and devices, when accounts include financial assets or business-related data, or when access involves hardware keys or multi-factor authentication. Such complexity requires careful documentation of access methods, legal authority, and contingency procedures. A full plan addresses how to coordinate account access with other estate documents, preserve functionality for ongoing online businesses, and document instructions that reduce the administrative burden on family members or representatives.

High-Value Digital Holdings or Ongoing Digital Income

When digital holdings include significant financial value—such as large cryptocurrency balances, online businesses, or monetized content—a comprehensive approach provides safeguards for both preservation and transfer. Detailed plans document ownership, tax considerations, and mechanisms for liquidating or continuing an income stream. They also include secure storage of keys and replacement procedures and lay out responsibilities for fiduciaries. Comprehensive planning helps ensure that value is not lost due to inaccessible credentials and that income-generating assets continue to operate under the account holder’s intentions.

Benefits of Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Digital Asset Planning

A comprehensive approach reduces uncertainty by documenting assets and access procedures in a way that aligns with your overall estate plan. This often shortens the time needed for fiduciaries to locate and manage accounts, reduces the chance of loss, and helps preserve both sentimental and financial value. Detailed planning also allows you to express preferences about memorialization or closure of social media and to designate trusted individuals to carry out your wishes. For many families, that clarity prevents conflict and streamlines probate administration under Tennessee rules.

Committing to a full plan provides long-term maintenance strategies, such as secure storage of credentials, guidance for periodic updates, and directives for accounts with unusual access controls. This approach gives those appointed to act the legal authority and practical information they need to carry out instructions without unnecessary delay. It also supports continuity for any online business activities and protects sensitive personal information by organizing access in a controlled and legally defendable manner.

Preservation and Continuity of Digital Property

A comprehensive plan protects the value and availability of digital property by making sure access is documented and legal authority is granted where required. This reduces the chances of permanent loss due to forgotten passwords, inaccessible hardware, or restrictive service terms. For families, that means photos, financial records, and digital accounts can be handled according to the account holder’s wishes. Effective planning also lays out steps for continuing operations of any online business or monetized content so that income streams are not disrupted during transitions.

Reduced Burden on Loved Ones and Fiduciaries

Comprehensive planning lessens the administrative and emotional burden on loved ones by centralizing information and designating clear decision-makers. When duties and access methods are documented, family members avoid guessing about passwords, account intentions, and the best way to proceed. This clarity speeds up account management, reduces conflict, and helps fiduciaries carry out their responsibilities efficiently. It also minimizes contact with multiple service providers by presenting documented authority and instructions, which can simplify interactions during a difficult time.

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Service Pro Tips for Digital Asset Planning

Start with a Secure Inventory

Begin by compiling a secure inventory of online accounts, devices, and any physical media that contain digital information. Document account names, associated email addresses, the purpose of each account, and the type of access required. Consider using a reputable password manager and record where that master access is located. Store your inventory and access directions in a secure place like a locked safe or encrypted file, and make sure a trusted individual knows how to retrieve it when appropriate. This foundational step saves time and avoids guesswork when access is needed.

Use Clear Legal Authorization and Practical Instructions

Combine practical access instructions with formal legal authorizations so designated individuals have both the permission and the information to act. Include clear language in powers of attorney or other estate documents that addresses digital accounts and data. Where necessary, create a separate digital asset authorization that specifies who will manage, transfer, or close particular accounts and how multi-factor authentication should be handled. This dual approach—legal authority plus hands-on instructions—helps ensure a smooth transition and compliance with provider requirements.

Schedule Reviews and Updates

Digital account landscapes change often, so schedule periodic reviews of your inventory and legal arrangements. Update account lists when you create new services, change passwords, or acquire digital currency. Revisit legal documents after life events like marriage, divorce, or relocation. Regular updates reduce the risk that plans become outdated and increase the likelihood that designated persons can execute the account holder’s wishes without delay. Maintain a routine check to keep documents synchronized with your current digital footprint.

Reasons to Consider Digital Asset Planning in Medina

Consider digital asset planning if you have online accounts, digital photographs, a presence on social media, or any form of digital currency. Planning is especially important if you manage an online business, receive income through digital platforms, or rely on cloud-stored documents. Without documented instructions, family members may face barriers to closing accounts, collecting funds, or preserving memories. Digital asset planning helps protect privacy, facilitate continuity, and reduce potential disputes when accounts must be managed by others.

Another reason to plan is to simplify probate and administration under Tennessee rules by clarifying asset ownership and transfer intentions. Proper documentation can shorten administrative timelines and reduce costs associated with locating account information and proving authority. Planning also lets you express preferences about memorialization, deletion, or transfer of online profiles, and it provides a method for keeping sensitive data secure while offering a pathway for lawful access. These practical benefits make planning a valuable part of a complete estate strategy.

Common Situations That Call for Digital Asset Planning

Typical circumstances include the passing of an individual who operated an online business, a family member unable to access important digital records after incapacity, or the existence of significant digital currency holdings that require careful transfer. Other triggers are life events like retirement or changes in marital status that prompt a review of account ownership and beneficiaries. In each case, having documented instructions and legal authority in place reduces disruption and helps fiduciaries act without unnecessary delay or legal complication.

Owner of an Online-Only Business

When an online-only business is involved, immediate access to accounts can determine whether the business survives or must close. Planning ensures that payment processors, domain registrations, hosting accounts, and content repositories are documented and that someone is authorized to manage them. A detailed plan preserves revenue streams and client relationships, provides continuity options for ongoing contracts, and helps transfer ownership or wind down operations in an orderly manner. This reduces financial harm and preserves the business value for heirs or successors.

Family Members Cannot Access Important Accounts

If family members lack the information needed to access critical accounts—such as email with important documents or online banking—a simple planning step can prevent long delays. Documenting locations of passwords, methods for account recovery, and legal authority avoids the stress of attempting to force access through service providers. Clear instructions help relatives locate records, submit appropriate documentation, and proceed without resorting to time-consuming legal actions. This planning also preserves privacy by limiting access to designated individuals only.

Significant Holdings in Digital Currency

Cryptocurrency holdings demand careful planning because access depends on private keys or seed phrases that, if lost, mean permanent loss of funds. A plan should document how keys are stored, who has access, and how transfers should be handled under incapacity or death. It should also consider tax consequences and whether to transfer holdings to another wallet or liquidate them. Thoughtful planning helps ensure that financial value in digital currencies is preserved and passed on according to the owner’s wishes.

Jay Johnson

Medina Digital Asset Planning Attorney — Local Guidance and Support

Jay Johnson Law Firm provides assistance to Medina residents who need practical plans for digital accounts and online holdings. We help clients identify assets, document access, and create legally sound instructions that work with Tennessee estate and probate rules. Our approach focuses on clear communication, secure storage solutions, and coordination with other estate documents so that your wishes are documented and actionable. If you are preparing for incapacity or planning your estate, we can help you develop a plan that protects your digital life and reduces burdens on family members.

Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Digital Asset Planning

Choosing a local firm brings practical benefits: familiarity with Tennessee probate procedures, an understanding of local client needs, and an emphasis on creating plans that are easy for fiduciaries to use. Jay Johnson Law Firm works closely with clients to tailor plans to personal circumstances, whether a simple inventory and instructions are sufficient or a comprehensive integration with trusts and powers of attorney is needed. Our aim is to deliver clear, actionable documents that reflect each client’s wishes and make administration straightforward for loved ones.

The firm’s approach includes hands-on assistance with inventorying accounts and drafting precise authorizations that address modern account features and recovery processes. We also provide guidance on secure credential storage and recommend practical steps for ongoing maintenance. By combining legal documentation with usable instructions, clients receive a plan that both empowers their designated representatives and aligns with applicable service provider rules and Tennessee law. This reduces the need for ad hoc decisions and ensures a smoother administration process.

Communication and accessibility are central to our approach. We work to explain options in plain language, outline likely outcomes, and help clients prioritize actions based on their concerns. Clients appreciate having a local point of contact for updates or changes, and the firm offers support to coordinate digital asset planning with broader estate and probate matters. If you want a plan that addresses modern digital needs while remaining easy to use, our team will help design and implement it.

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How We Handle Digital Asset Planning at Jay Johnson Law Firm

Our process begins with a confidential review of your digital footprint and goals, followed by creation or revision of legal documents that reference and authorize management of digital assets. We prepare practical instructions for access and recommend secure storage solutions for credentials and hardware. After documents are signed, we discuss maintenance plans and periodic reviews. Throughout, we aim to align account directions with Tennessee law and with the rest of your estate plan so that transfer and administration are as seamless as possible for appointed representatives.

Step One: Initial Review and Asset Inventory

The first step is a full inventory of digital accounts, relevant devices, and any documentation related to passwords or keys. We review account types, potential financial value, and technical access methods such as two-factor authentication or hardware wallets. This inventory is kept confidential and is used to determine which legal documents and access instructions are needed. The result is a prioritized plan that identifies essential items to address immediately and those that can be handled as part of regular maintenance.

Gathering Account and Access Information

During this phase we collect the names of accounts, associated emails, recovery options, and the nature of any stored assets. We also identify any physical devices or written notes that contain access information, as well as the presence of multi-factor authentication or specialized hardware. Understanding these technical details helps determine whether additional security measures or backup plans are necessary. This practical information forms the foundation for drafting instructions and legal authorizations that work in real-world scenarios.

Evaluating Legal Documents and Authorization Needs

Next we review existing estate documents to see how digital assets are addressed and whether updates are required. This includes checking wills, powers of attorney, and trust language to ensure that authority is granted to appropriate individuals and that the documents are legally consistent. We then identify additional documents or clauses that are needed to authorize access to digital accounts, and we advise on the best place to record practical instructions so that fiduciaries can act effectively while respecting privacy and contractual limitations.

Step Two: Drafting Documents and Secure Instructions

In step two we prepare the legal instruments and practical records that put the plan into effect. This may include revised powers of attorney or trust language, a written digital asset authorization, and secure methods for storing access information. The drafting process focuses on clarity, legal validity, and practical usability so that designated persons can present documentation to service providers if needed. We also recommend secure storage solutions and steps to protect sensitive authentication information.

Creating Clear Legal Authority

Legal authority must be explicit and tailored to the types of accounts involved. We draft language that grants necessary permissions while aligning with Tennessee law, and we advise on whether language should be included in existing estate documents or in a stand-alone authorization. Clear legal authority reduces friction with service providers, helps fiduciaries act confidently, and minimizes the likelihood of disputes. The goal is to create documents that are practical, legally defensible, and straightforward to present when action is needed.

Documenting Practical Access Instructions

Alongside legal documents we create practical instructions detailing where credentials are stored, how to recover accounts, and any special handling preferences. This may include instructions for social media memorialization, email account handling, or transfer of domain names. Practical instructions are designed to be user-friendly for appointed representatives and to complement formal authorizations so the combination of legal and practical guidance accomplishes the account holder’s intentions efficiently and securely.

Step Three: Implementation and Ongoing Maintenance

After documents are signed and instructions recorded, we help implement the plan by advising on secure storage solutions and offering guidance for sharing access where appropriate. We also recommend a schedule for periodic review and updates, since accounts and technology change over time. Implementation ensures that the plan is more than just paperwork: it becomes an accessible and maintainable system that trusted persons can use when necessary, reducing future uncertainty and administrative effort.

Integrating with Your Estate Plan

Integration means making sure digital asset directions reinforce and do not conflict with your will, powers of attorney, or trust provisions. We review cross-references and ensure that appointed fiduciaries have the authority needed to carry out instructions. This coordination avoids gaps or contradictions and helps ensure that all assets—digital and physical—are managed in a unified way. A well-integrated plan provides clarity and reduces the risk of litigation or administrative delays.

Review Schedule and Update Recommendations

We recommend reviewing digital asset plans periodically, such as every one to three years or after major life events like marriage, divorce, or acquisition of new digital holdings. During a review we update account lists, confirm access methods, and revise instructions or legal language as needed. Regular maintenance keeps the plan current and helps ensure that designated persons can follow instructions without encountering outdated credentials or procedural obstacles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Asset Planning

What counts as a digital asset and should be included in planning?

Digital assets include online accounts, cloud storage, email, social media, digital photographs, domain names, digital contracts, and any digital currency holdings. Items that carry sentimental or financial value should be included, along with the means of access such as passwords, recovery emails, and hardware wallets. Compiling a thorough yet secure inventory is the first practical step toward ensuring those assets are addressed by your plan.In addition to listing assets, include notes about how each account should be handled—whether preserved, transferred, closed, or memorialized. That way, appointed persons know both what assets exist and what the account holder intended, which helps avoid guesswork and reduces administrative delays for families following incapacity or death.

Digital assets can be addressed in a will, trust, or dedicated digital asset authorization depending on the asset type and your goals. Because some accounts are subject to terms of service and not fully transferable, the plan often pairs legal language granting authority with practical instructions that explain how to access and manage accounts. Drafting clear, legally compatible language reduces ambiguity and supports smooth administration.Consulting with counsel helps determine which documents are appropriate for your situation and how to reconcile provider rules with your wishes. Properly drafted documents combined with a secure inventory create a workable framework that fiduciaries can present to service providers when action is needed.

Who may access accounts depends on the legal authority you grant and the policies of service providers. Legal documents such as powers of attorney or trust provisions can authorize named individuals to manage accounts during incapacity or after death. Designating a digital representative in writing clarifies who should act, and practical instructions help that person locate credentials and follow your wishes.Service providers sometimes request proof of authority before releasing information, so having clear legal documents and supporting instructions reduces friction. It is also wise to inform the designated person about the plan in advance so they can act quickly and appropriately when needed.

Tennessee law governs probate and the treatment of estate assets, and state rules influence how digital assets are administered. While federal and provider-specific policies also apply, aligning your plan with Tennessee probate procedures helps ensure that appointed fiduciaries have recognized authority to act on your behalf. Legal documents should be drafted to fit state requirements so they will be effective when presented to courts or service providers.Because laws and provider policies can change, it is helpful to coordinate digital asset instructions with a local attorney who understands how to integrate the plan with Tennessee estate and probate processes, making transitions more reliable and predictable.

Protecting cryptocurrency for heirs requires documenting private keys, seed phrases, and access procedures while maintaining strong security. A plan should explain where private keys are stored, who may access them, and what steps to take for transfer or liquidation. Due to the irreversible nature of many digital transactions, clear instructions and secure backup measures are essential to prevent loss.Consider using secure hardware storage, encrypted backups, and trusted escrow arrangements for seed phrases. Your plan should balance security and recoverability so that heirs can access assets when authorized without exposing private keys to unnecessary risk.

A reputable password manager is often the safest way to store many credentials because it allows centralized, encrypted access and reduces the need to reuse weak passwords. Many password managers provide emergency access features or the ability to designate a trusted contact. If you choose a password manager, document where the master access is stored and how an appointed person can retrieve it under your instructions.Writing down passwords can be acceptable if the list is stored securely in a locked safe or encrypted file and instructions are provided to a trusted individual. The key is to balance accessibility with strong protection against unauthorized access.

Common documents used to authorize digital account access include a durable power of attorney, trust provisions, a will that references digital asset handling, and a separate digital asset authorization letter. Powers of attorney can grant authority during incapacity, while wills and trusts address post-death administration. A stand-alone digital authorization can provide clear, practical instructions that complement these documents.Selecting the right document depends on whether the action is needed during incapacity or only after death, the types of accounts involved, and any privacy or contractual limitations imposed by service providers. Legal counsel can help match documents to your objectives.

Review your digital asset inventory and instructions at least every one to three years, and update them after major life events such as marriage, divorce, a move, or acquiring significant new digital holdings. Frequent review ensures that passwords, recovery methods, and account lists remain current and that legal documents reflect your present wishes. This simple habit helps avoid outdated instructions and reduces the chance that appointed persons will encounter inaccessible accounts during administration.Also review whenever you change critical security settings like multi-factor authentication methods or when you add hardware wallets or other devices that affect access. Keeping the plan current preserves its usefulness.

Service providers maintain terms of service that can limit how accounts are transferred or accessed, and those terms sometimes restrict what a designated person may do. Clear legal documents increase the likelihood that providers will honor requests, but they may still require specific procedures or documentation. Preparing organized, legally framed instructions and being ready to provide required proof helps reduce the chance of refusal.Where provider policies are restrictive, advance planning can include alternative measures such as documenting communications, collecting account-related documentation, or using provider-specific legacy tools when available. Coordination between legal and practical steps improves the odds of a smooth outcome.

To get started, contact Jay Johnson Law Firm for a confidential review of your digital assets and estate planning goals. The initial appointment focuses on identifying accounts, discussing your priorities, and outlining practical steps to protect access and preserve value. We then recommend which documents and instructions will best implement your intentions and assist with drafting and secure storage.Starting early allows you to implement secure practices, designate responsible persons, and integrate digital instructions into your broader estate plan. Early planning reduces the likelihood of future complications and provides reassurance that your digital affairs are in order.

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