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HomeProbate CodeDiv. 2Pt. 20§ 878 Trustee Electronic Communication Disclosure

§ 878 Trustee Electronic Communication Disclosure

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

§ 878 Trustee Electronic Communication Disclosure

This law says a service that holds electronic messages (like email) must give a trustee the messages from a trust account if the trustee shows certain paperwork, unless a court says otherwise.

Key Takeaways

  • •The trustee must make a written request for the messages.
  • •The trustee must provide a certified death certificate of the person who created the trust.
  • •The trustee must show the trust document (or a certification) that allows disclosure.
  • •The trustee must swear under penalty of perjury that they are the acting trustee.
  • •If the custodian asks, the trustee also needs to give the account’s unique ID or proof it belongs to the trust.

Example

A dad set up a trust and used an email account to handle the trust’s bills. After he dies, the person named trustee wants to read those emails to keep the trust running.

The trustee sends the email provider a written request, the dad’s death certificate, a copy of the trust paper that says the trustee can see the emails, and a signed statement that they are the current trustee. If the provider asks, the trustee also gives the account’s user name or other ID. Then the provider must hand over the emails.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 878 Trustee Electronic Communication 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 content of an electronic communication sent or received by an original or successor user and carried, maintained, processed, received, or stored by the custodian in the account of the trust if the trustee gives to 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, evidencing the settlor’s consent to disclosure of the content of electronic communications to the trustee. (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 communicationtrust instrumentcertification of trust

Related Statutes

  • § 879 Trustee Digital Asset Disclosure
  • § 352 Trust Consultant Definition
  • § 39 Definition Of Fiduciary
  • § 1204 Fiduciary Notice Waiver Rules
  • § 1208 Trust Beneficiary Notice Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Probate Code. Section 878.
View Official Source