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HomeProbate CodeDiv. 2Pt. 20§ 879 Trustee Digital Asset Disclosure

§ 879 Trustee Digital Asset Disclosure

Probate Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 879 Trustee Digital Asset Disclosure

This law lets a trustee ask a digital service to give a list of emails and digital assets the trust owns after the trust creator has died, as long as the trustee provides certain proof.

Key Takeaways

  • •A trustee can get a catalogue of the trust's electronic communications and digital assets after the settlor dies.
  • •The trustee must provide a written request, death certificate, trust instrument, and a perjury‑penalized certification that they are the acting trustee.
  • •The custodian can also ask for the account’s unique ID or other proof that the account belongs to the trust.

Example

A parent set up a trust and used an online email account for the trust. After the parent dies, the new trustee asks the email provider for a list of all emails sent and received by that account and any digital assets the trust holds.

Because the trustee gives a written request, the death certificate, the trust document, and a sworn statement that they are the current trustee, the provider must hand over the email list and asset list (but not the actual email contents).

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 879 Trustee Digital Asset Disclosure

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, directed by the user, or provided in a trust, a custodian shall disclose, to a trustee that is not an original user of an account, the catalogue of electronic communications sent or received by an original or successor user and stored, carried, or maintained by the custodian in an account of the trust and any digital assets, other than the content of electronic communications, in which the trust has a right or interest if the settlor of the trust is deceased and the trustee gives the custodian all of the following: (a) A written request for disclosure in physical or electronic form. (b) A certified copy of the death certificate of the settlor. (c) A certified copy of the trust instrument or a certification of trust under Section 18100.5. (d) A certification by the trustee, under penalty of perjury, that the trust exists and that the trustee is a currently acting trustee of the trust. (e) If requested by the custodian, any of the following: (1) A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the trust’s account. (2) Evidence linking the account to the trust. (Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 551, Sec. 1. (AB 691) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

custodiantrusteesettlorelectronic communicationsdigital assetscertified copy of the death certificatecertification of trustcertification by the trusteeunique subscriber or account identifier

Related Statutes

  • § 878 Trustee Electronic Communication Disclosure
  • § 877 Digital Assets Disclosure Requirements
  • § 879.2 Agent Digital Asset Disclosure
  • § 879.3 Conservator Digital Asset Access
  • § 352 Trust Consultant Definition

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Probate Code. Section 879.
View Official Source