If a deceased user consented or, in the absence of direction pursuant to § 21-2504, the Superior Court directs disclosure of the contents of electronic communications of the user, the custodian shall disclose to the personal representative of the estate of the user the content of an electronic communication sent or received by the user if the representative gives the custodian:
(1) A written request for disclosure in physical or electronic form;
(2) A certified copy of the death certificate of the user;
(3) A certified copy of the letter of appointment of the representative or a small-estate affidavit or court order;
(4) Unless the user provided direction using an online tool, a copy of the user's will, trust, power of attorney, or other record evidencing the user's consent to disclosure of the content of electronic communications; and
(5) If requested by the custodian:
(A) A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the user's account;
(B) Evidence linking the account to the user; or
(C) A finding by the Superior Court that:
(i) The user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph;
(ii) Disclosure of the content of electronic communications of the user would not violate 18 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq., 47 U.S.C. § 222, or other applicable laws;
(iii) Unless the user provided direction using an online tool, the user consented to disclosure of the content of electronic communications; or
(iv) Disclosure of the content of electronic communications of the user is reasonably necessary for administration of the estate.
(Mar. 16, 2021, D.C. Law 23-189, § 2(b), 68 DCR 001063.)
Structure District of Columbia Code
Title 21 - Fiduciary Relations and Persons with Mental Illness. [Enacted title]
Chapter 25 - Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act
§ 21–2504. User direction for disclosure of digital assets
§ 21–2505. Terms-of-service agreement
§ 21–2506. Procedure for disclosing digital assets
§ 21–2507. Disclosure of contents of electronic communications of deceased user
§ 21–2508. Disclosure of other digital assets of deceased user
§ 21–2509. Disclosure of content of electronic communications of principal
§ 21–2510. Disclosure of other digital assets of principal
§ 21–2511. Disclosure of digital assets held in trust when trustee is original user
§ 21–2513. Disclosure of other digital assets held in trust when trustee not original user
§ 21–2514. Disclosure of digital assets to conservator of protected individual
§ 21–2515. Fiduciary duty and authority
§ 21–2516. Custodian compliance and immunity
§ 21–2517. Uniformity of application and construction
§ 21–2518. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act