Maryland § 15-614

Full text of Maryland Maryland Code § 15-614, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 15-614.

    (a)    The legal duties imposed on a fiduciary charged with managing tangible property apply to the management of digital assets, including:

        (1)    The duty of care;

        (2)    The duty of loyalty; and

        (3)    The duty of confidentiality.

    (b)    A fiduciary’s or designated recipient’s authority with respect to a digital asset of a user:

        (1)    Except as otherwise provided in § 15–603 of this subtitle, is subject to the applicable terms of service;

        (2)    Is subject to other applicable law, including copyright law;

        (3)    In the case of a fiduciary, is limited by the scope of the fiduciary’s duties; and

        (4)    May not be used to impersonate the user.

    (c)    A fiduciary with authority over the property of a decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor has the right to access a digital asset in which the decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor had a right or interest and that is not held by a custodian or subject to a terms–of–service agreement.

    (d)    A fiduciary acting within the scope of the fiduciary’s duties is an authorized user of the property of the decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor for the purpose of applicable computer–fraud and unauthorized–computer–access laws, including § 7–302 of the Criminal Law Article.

    (e)    A fiduciary with authority over the tangible, personal property of a decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor:

        (1)    Has the right to access the property and the digital assets stored in it; and

        (2)    Is an authorized user for the purpose of computer–fraud and unauthorized–computer–access laws, including § 7–302 of the Criminal Law Article.

    (f)    A custodian may disclose information in an account to a fiduciary of the user when the information is required to terminate an account used to access digital assets licensed to the user.

    (g)    (1)    A fiduciary of a user may request a custodian to terminate the user’s account.

        (2)    The fiduciary shall submit the request for termination to the custodian in writing, in either physical or electronic form, accompanied by:

            (i)    If the user is deceased, a copy of the death certificate of the user;

            (ii)    A copy of the letters of administration of the personal representative or court order appointing a special administrator, power of attorney, or trust granting the fiduciary authority over the account; and

            (iii)    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; or

                3.    A finding by the court that the user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in item 1 of this item.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland § 15-614

What does Maryland Code § 15-614 cover?

Section 15-614 is part of the Maryland Code, the codified statutory law of Maryland. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Maryland § 15-614?

A common citation format is "Maryland Code § 15-614" (Maryland). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Maryland law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Maryland official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Maryland attorney.

How does Maryland § 15-614 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Maryland can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Maryland.