how can i make sure my forum stays up after i die?

I would ask an existing member you can trust to run it. In fact I have already broached the subject because you need to know they are prepared to take it on.

I need to know it will be looked after, I will be checking in every now and again.
That is what I have done. I prepared someone I trust, made him an Admin, gave him complete access to the domain registrar, host, root, xenforo.com and other things. I know he is versed in the site functions and more. On the phone we talked as we logged into WHM, Cpanel, FTP...
Again though, this is someone I completely trust with this information.
 
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I need to deal with this. On one forum there isn't really anyone I could ask to take over (at the moment) - needs to be someone younger and regular IMO. And with a bit of technical knowledge. My members with technical knowledge are all older.

I think I would leave instructions on who executors are to email about it to take it over and pass on all the details and instruct that x amount in a will is to cover the running for 6 months or something until it's taken over.

Meaning I need to find someone to take it over!
 
I need to deal with this. On one forum there isn't really anyone I could ask to take over (at the moment) - needs to be someone younger and regular IMO. And with a bit of technical knowledge. My members with technical knowledge are all older.

I think I would leave instructions on who executors are to email about it to take it over and pass on all the details and instruct that x amount in a will is to cover the running for 6 months or something until it's taken over.

Meaning I need to find someone to take it over!
Make a thread and ask for staff.
 
I guess if someone does nothing, the forum would just continue until a server fee wasn’t paid. Unless someone you have authorised in advance takes over and has all the necessary logins.

For example the Xenforo account would be in a deceased person’s name so they would presumably need to open a new account for that web address and inform xf to close the other one due to the person being deceased and for most things like that you need proof - eg a copy of a death certificate.

This is getting grim!
 
I guess if someone does nothing, the forum would just continue until a server fee wasn’t paid.

In many cases it won't be that simple. Usually the deceased's bank accounts would be frozen, the payments would stop and the host will shut down the account. It would be the duty of the executor to authorise any payments which would normally only be funeral expenses. If they don't know about the forum then that would most likely be the end.

It would be up to the executor to inform any recipients of direct debits and other recurring payments, They could choose to continue those personally.

If you have a clause in the will granting them permission to continue to pay from your otherwise frozen account they may be able to but they are possibly into a big and possibly fruitless discussion with the bank, especially if it just a covering letter. Otherwise they have to wait until probate is granted or pay from their own pocket. You may want to make sure their share of the will would eventually reimburse them.

Unless you are confident such a clause will be accepted by the bank, it would be best to discuss with the executor (ideally while you are still alive) whether they will agree to continue paying personally if the bank won't.
 
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To add to what's been posted above, you really need to make your wishes clear in a will. You might for example not want to your site to remain live or in some cases your site might have financial value that can be passed on to a named beneficiary.

It is also imperative someone other than yourself has full access to everything required to take ownership of your site i.e. the domain, hosting, software etc. I have seen more than one major site lost forever because of data protection. Those details could be contained within your will or better still (as details may change), with a beneficiary or someone your trust.
 
I have the opposite end of this problem.

I bought a site from someone who had failing health and has since died. I've been muddling through how to run the site and don't know enough to do this efficiently..... all trial and error. To complicate matters, the hosting company (bluehost) has been uncooperative in changing the primary account contact info to me, from the previous owner, who died on June 1st.

Since then, the hosting term expired. Of course bluehost was happy to take my money to renew the hosting service for three years, but they say they can't make me the primary contact without the permission of the original owner.... who is now dead. ahem.

Big help.

I'm getting a zillion server errors logged now. The home page says my PHP version is outdated and recommends PHP version 8.3

How do I update this?

Thanks in advance for any help. It seems my site is locked in some kind of log in loop preventing folks (including me) from logging on and probably registering as a member.
 
As mentioned in this thread it's all about access. FTP, database, hosting control panel and domain server. If you have this then you can have a server engineer port the website to a new host.
If you don't, then you may loose control of the website. You may be able to to port it to a new domain.
 
I have the opposite end of this problem.

I bought a site from someone who had failing health and has since died. I've been muddling through how to run the site and don't know enough to do this efficiently..... all trial and error. To complicate matters, the hosting company (bluehost) has been uncooperative in changing the primary account contact info to me, from the previous owner, who died on June 1st.

Since then, the hosting term expired. Of course bluehost was happy to take my money to renew the hosting service for three years, but they say they can't make me the primary contact without the permission of the original owner.... who is now dead. ahem.

Big help.

I'm getting a zillion server errors logged now. The home page says my PHP version is outdated and recommends PHP version 8.3

How do I update this?

Thanks in advance for any help. It seems my site is locked in some kind of log in loop preventing folks (including me) from logging on and probably registering as a member.
Head to bluehost
Login into the sites cpanel
Head to php select level
Select 8.3 in the drop down menu
Press save
 
My sites are not that important, so when I pop, the sites will pop with me. For those who do wish for their sites to continue, you really should be taking full backups of the site and the database as that time approaches, so if it needs to go to a new host then it can be restored. Don't forget to put something into place to transfer the domain name/s if required, and make sure the person handling the takeover is on your XF account.
 
Since then, the hosting term expired. Of course bluehost was happy to take my money to renew the hosting service for three years, but they say they can't make me the primary contact without the permission of the original owner.... who is now dead. ahem.
A letter from the previous owners wife, next of kin, etc, coupled with a death certificate will be enough to transfer ownership of the account, or allow you to open a new account and transfer the site.
 
A letter from the previous owners wife, next of kin, etc, coupled with a death certificate will be enough to transfer ownership of the account, or allow you to open a new account and transfer the site.

I would agree- that would be great. Sadly, none of which are available to me.

I had enough documentation for them to accept payment for the renewal, but no such letters or access to any documentation of his death that they will accept to make me the primary account holder. That seems little self-serving on the part of bluehost.
 
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