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HRS §556A-8

Getting a deceased person's digital asset list

When someone dies, the person in charge of their estate can ask the company holding their online accounts for a list of messages and other digital items, but not the actual message contents. The company must provide this list if the estate representative gives the right paperwork and the deceased person didn't forbid it.

courtspersonal representatives

The statute, as written — 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: (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 personal representative or a small estate affidavit or court order; and (4) 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; (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 subparagraph (A); or (ii) Disclosure of the user's digital assets is reasonably necessary for administration of the estate.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.