# Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-406: 72-31-406 Disclosure of content of electronic communications of deceased user

> Montana · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-406

## Section

- **Citation:** Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-406
- **Heading:** 72-31-406 Disclosure of content of electronic communications of deceased user
- **Jurisdiction:** Montana
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MT Code / Title 72 / Chapter 31 / Part 4 / Section 72-31-406

## Text

72-31-406 . 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:

(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 representative or a collection of personal property affidavit or 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; and

(5) if requested by the custodian:

(a) a number, user name, 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; or

(c) a finding by the court that:

(i) the user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in subsection (5)(a);

(ii) disclosure of the content of electronic communications of the user would not violate 18 U.S.C. 2701 et seq., as amended, 47 U.S.C. 222, as amended, 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; or

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

## Nearby sections

- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-401 72-31-401 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-401.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-402 72-31-402 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-402.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-403 72-31-403 User direction for disclosure of digital assets](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-403.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-404 72-31-404 Terms-of-service agreement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-404.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-405 72-31-405 Procedure for disclosing digital assets](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-405.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-406 72-31-406 Disclosure of content of electronic communications of deceased user](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-406.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-407 72-31-407 Disclosure of other digital assets of deceased user](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-407.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-408 72-31-408 Disclosure of content of electronic communications of principal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-408.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-409 72-31-409 Disclosure of other digital assets of principal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-409.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-410 72-31-410 Disclosure of digital assets held in trust when trustee is original user](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-410.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-411 72-31-411 Disclosure of contents of electronic communications held in trust when trustee not original user](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-411.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-412 72-31-412 Disclosure of other digital assets held in trust when trustee not original user](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-412.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-413 72-31-413 Disclosure of digital assets to conservator of protected person](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-413.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-31-414 72-31-414 Fiduciary duty and authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-414.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C31_P4_S72-31-406. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.