West Virginia Code 44-5B-8 – Disclosure of other digital assets of deceased user
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 personal representative gives the custodian:
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 44-5B-8
- 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.
- 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.
(a) A written request for disclosure in physical or electronic form;
(b) A certified copy of the death certificate of the user;
(c) A certified copy of the letter of appointment of the representative; and
(d) If requested by the custodian:
(1) A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the user’s account;
(2) Evidence linking the account to the user;
(3) An affidavit stating that disclosure of the user’s digital assets is reasonably necessary for administration of the estate; or
(4) A finding by the court that:
(A) The user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in §44-5B-8(d)(1) of this code; or
(B) Disclosure of the user’s digital assets is reasonably necessary for administration of the estate.