§ 14-13107 — Disclosure of content of electronic communications of deceased user

If a deceased user consented or a 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 all of the following:

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 letters testamentary, a small-estate affidavit or a 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.

5. If requested by the custodian, any of the following:

(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.

(c) A finding by the court of one or more of the following:

(i) The user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in subdivision (a) of this paragraph.

(ii) Disclosure of the content of electronic communications of the user would not violate 18 United States Code sections 2701 through 2712, 47 United States Code section 222 or other applicable law.

(iii) Unless the user provided direction using an online tool, the user consented to disclosure of the content of electronic communications.

(iv) Disclosure of the content of electronic communications of the user is reasonably necessary for administration of the estate.