Unless the user prohibited disclosure of digital assets or the court directs otherwise, a custodian shall disclose to the personal representative of the estate of a deceased user a catalogue of electronic communications sent or received by the user and digital assets, other than the content of electronic communications of the user, if the representative gives the custodian:

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Terms Used In Washington Code 11.120.080

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Electronic: means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities. See Washington Code 11.02.005
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Personal representative: includes executor, administrator, special administrator, and conservator or limited conservator and special representative. See Washington Code 11.02.005
(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; and
(4) If requested by the custodian:
(a) A number, user name, or 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;
(c) An affidavit stating that disclosure of the user’s digital assets is reasonably necessary for administration of the estate; or
(d) A finding by the court that:
(i) The user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in (a) of this subsection; or
(ii) Disclosure of the user’s digital assets is reasonably necessary for administration of the estate.