{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/64.2-129.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/64.2-129.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/64.2-129.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/64.2-129.html"}],"law_id":375872,"edition_id":2,"section_id":375872,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-129","catch_line":"Fiduciary duty and authority","history":"2017, cc. 33, 80.","full_text":"A\n\nThe legal duties imposed on a fiduciary charged with managing tangible property apply to the management of digital assets, including:\n\n1\n\nThe duty of care;\n\n2\n\nThe duty of loyalty; and\n\n3\n\nThe duty of confidentiality.\n\nB\n\nA fiduciary’s or designated recipient’s authority with respect to a digital asset of a user:\n\n1\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in § 64.2-118, is subject to the applicable terms-of-service agreement;\n\n2\n\nIs subject to other applicable law, including copyright law;\n\n3\n\nIn the case of a fiduciary, is limited by the scope of the fiduciary’s duties; and\n\n4\n\nMay not be used to impersonate the user.\n\nC\n\nA fiduciary with authority over the property of a decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor has the right to access any 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.\n\nD\n\nA 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 Article 7.1 (§ 18.2-152.1 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2.\n\nE\n\nA fiduciary with authority over the tangible personal property of a decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor:\n\n1\n\nHas the right to access the property and any digital asset stored in it; and\n\n2\n\nIs an authorized user for the purposes of computer-fraud and unauthorized computer-access laws, including Article 7.1 (§ 18.2-152.1 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2.\n\nF\n\nA 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.\n\nG\n\nA fiduciary of a user may request a custodian to terminate the user’s account. A request for termination shall be in writing, in either physical or electronic form, and accompanied by:\n\n1\n\nIf the user is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate of the user;\n\n2\n\nA certified copy of the letter of appointment of the representative or a small-estate affidavit or court order, court order, power of attorney, or trust giving the fiduciary authority over the account; and\n\n3\n\nIf requested by the custodian:\n\t\t\t\ta. A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the user’s account;\n\n\t\t\t\tb. Evidence linking the account to the user; or\n\n\t\t\t\tc. A finding by the court that the user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in subdivision a.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1403373,"text":"The legal duties imposed on a fiduciary charged with managing tangible property apply to the management of digital assets, including:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":1403374,"text":"The duty of care;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":1403375,"text":"The duty of loyalty; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":1403376,"text":"The duty of confidentiality.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":1403377,"text":"A fiduciary’s or designated recipient’s authority with respect to a digital asset of a user:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B1"},"5":{"id":1403378,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in § 64.2-118, is subject to the applicable terms-of-service agreement;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"6":{"id":1403379,"text":"Is subject to other applicable law, including copyright law;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"7":{"id":1403380,"text":"In the case of a fiduciary, is limited by the scope of the fiduciary’s duties; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"8":{"id":1403381,"text":"May not be used to impersonate the user.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"C"},"9":{"id":1403382,"text":"A fiduciary with authority over the property of a decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor has the right to access any 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.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"D"},"10":{"id":1403383,"text":"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 Article 7.1 (§ 18.2-152.1 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"11":{"id":1403384,"text":"A fiduciary with authority over the tangible personal property of a decedent, protected person, principal, or settlor:","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"E1"},"12":{"id":1403385,"text":"Has the right to access the property and any digital asset stored in it; and","type":"section","prefixes":["E","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"E1","prefix_anchor":"E1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"E2"},"13":{"id":1403386,"text":"Is an authorized user for the purposes of computer-fraud and unauthorized computer-access laws, including Article 7.1 (§ 18.2-152.1 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["E","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"E2","prefix_anchor":"E2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E1","next_prefix":"F"},"14":{"id":1403387,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E2","next_prefix":"G"},"15":{"id":1403388,"text":"A fiduciary of a user may request a custodian to terminate the user’s account. A request for termination shall be in writing, in either physical or electronic form, and accompanied by:","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"G1"},"16":{"id":1403389,"text":"If the user is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate of the user;","type":"section","prefixes":["G","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"G1","prefix_anchor":"G1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"G2"},"17":{"id":1403390,"text":"A certified copy of the letter of appointment of the representative or a small-estate affidavit or court order, court order, power of attorney, or trust giving the fiduciary authority over the account; and","type":"section","prefixes":["G","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"G2","prefix_anchor":"G2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G1","next_prefix":"G3"},"18":{"id":1403391,"text":"If requested by the custodian:\n\t\t\t\ta. A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the user’s account;\t\t\t\tb. Evidence linking the account to the user; or\t\t\t\tc. A finding by the court that the user had a specific account with the custodian, identifiable by the information specified in subdivision a.","type":"section","prefixes":["G","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"G3","prefix_anchor":"G3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":53452,"edition_id":2,"name":"Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act","identifier":"3.1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":4,"parent_id":53426,"metadata":{"child_laws":17,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:16:38","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:37:06","permalink":{"id":1499843,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53452,"identifier":"3.1","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1","url":"\/64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53426,"edition_id":2,"name":"Definitions and General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":53425,"metadata":{"child_laws":29,"child_structures":4},"date_created":"2026-08-02 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agreement","url":"\/64.2-119\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-119","metadata":false},{"id":375840,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-120","catch_line":"Procedure for disclosing digital assets","url":"\/64.2-120\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-120","metadata":false},{"id":375851,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-121","catch_line":"Disclosure of content of electronic communications of deceased user","url":"\/64.2-121\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-121","metadata":false},{"id":375862,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-122","catch_line":"Disclosure of other digital assets of deceased user","url":"\/64.2-122\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-122","metadata":false},{"id":375866,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-123","catch_line":"Disclosure of content of electronic communications of principal","url":"\/64.2-123\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-123","metadata":false},{"id":375867,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-124","catch_line":"Disclosure of other digital assets of principal","url":"\/64.2-124\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-124","metadata":false},{"id":375868,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-125","catch_line":"Disclosure of digital assets held in trust when trustee is original user","url":"\/64.2-125\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-125","metadata":false},{"id":375869,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-126","catch_line":"Disclosure of contents of electronic communications held in trust when trustee is not original user","url":"\/64.2-126\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-126","metadata":false},{"id":375870,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-127","catch_line":"Disclosure of other digital assets held in trust when trustee is not original user","url":"\/64.2-127\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-127","metadata":false},{"id":375871,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-128","catch_line":"Disclosure of digital assets to conservator or guardian of protected person","url":"\/64.2-128\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-128","metadata":false},{"id":375872,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-129","catch_line":"Fiduciary duty and authority","url":"\/64.2-129\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-129","metadata":false},{"id":375873,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-130","catch_line":"Custodian compliance and immunity","url":"\/64.2-130\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-130","metadata":false},{"id":375884,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-131","catch_line":"Uniformity of application and construction","url":"\/64.2-131\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-131","metadata":false},{"id":375893,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-132","catch_line":"Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act","url":"\/64.2-132\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-132","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":375871,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-128","catch_line":"Disclosure of digital assets to conservator or guardian of protected person","url":"\/64.2-128\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-128","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":375873,"structure_id":53452,"section_number":"64.2-130","catch_line":"Custodian compliance and immunity","url":"\/64.2-130\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-130","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/64.2-129\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2017. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 33<\/a> and 80<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":[{"id":375873,"section_number":"64.2-130","catch_line":"Custodian compliance and immunity","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-130\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":350338,"section_number":"18.2-152.1","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-152.1\/"},{"id":375838,"section_number":"64.2-118","catch_line":"User direction for disclosure of digital assets","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-118\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1499897,"object_type":"law","relational_id":375872,"identifier":"64.2-129","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-129","url":"\/64.2-129\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/64.2-129\/","token":"64.2\/I\/1\/3.1\/64.2-129","dublin_core":{"Title":"Fiduciary duty and authority","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 64.2-129","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The legal duties imposed on a fiduciary<\/span> charged with managing tangible property apply to the management of digital assets<\/span>, including: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The duty of care; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The duty of loyalty; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The duty of confidentiality. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A fiduciary<\/span>’s or designated recipient<\/span>’s authority with respect to a digital asset<\/span> of a user<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in § 64.2-118<\/a>, is subject to the applicable terms-of-service agreement<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Is subject to other applicable law<\/span>, including copyright law<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> In the case of a fiduciary<\/span>, is limited by the scope of the fiduciary<\/span>’s duties; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> May not be used to impersonate the user<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A fiduciary<\/span> with authority over the property of a decedent, protected person<\/span>, principal<\/span>, or settlor has the right to access any digital asset<\/span> in which the decedent, protected person<\/span>, principal<\/span>, or settlor had a right or interest and that is not held by a custodian<\/span> or subject to a terms-of-service agreement<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A fiduciary<\/span> acting within the scope of the fiduciary<\/span>’s duties is an authorized user<\/span> of the property of the decedent, protected person<\/span>, principal<\/span>, or settlor for the purpose of applicable computer-fraud<\/span> and unauthorized computer-access laws<\/span>, including Article 7.1 (§ 18.2-152.1<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A fiduciary<\/span> with authority over the tangible personal property of a decedent, protected person<\/span>, principal<\/span>, or settlor: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Has the right to access the property and any digital asset<\/span> stored in it; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Is an authorized user<\/span> for the purposes of computer-fraud<\/span> and unauthorized computer-access laws<\/span>, including Article 7.1 (§ 18.2-152.1<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> A custodian<\/span> may disclose information<\/span> in an account<\/span> to a fiduciary<\/span> of the user<\/span> when the information<\/span> is required to terminate an account<\/span> used to access digital assets<\/span> licensed to the user<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> A fiduciary<\/span> of a user<\/span> may request a custodian<\/span> to terminate the user<\/span>’s account<\/span>. A request for termination shall be in writing, in either physical or electronic<\/span> form, and accompanied by: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> If the user<\/span> is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate of the user<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> A certified copy of the letter of appointment of the representative or a small-estate affidavit<\/span> or court order<\/span>, court order<\/span>, power of attorney<\/span>, or trust giving the fiduciary<\/span> authority over the account<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If requested by the custodian<\/span>:\n\t\t\t\ta. A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account<\/span> identifier assigned by the custodian<\/span> to identify the user<\/span>’s account<\/span>;

\t\t\t\tb. Evidence<\/span> linking the account<\/span> to the user<\/span>; or

\t\t\t\tc. A finding<\/span> by the court that the user<\/span> had a specific account<\/span> with the custodian<\/span>, identifiable by the information<\/span> specified in subdivision a. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFIDUCIARY DUTY AND AUTHORITY (\u00a7 64.2-129)\n\nA. The legal duties imposed on a fiduciary charged with managing tangible\nproperty apply to the management of digital assets, including:\n\n 1. The duty of care;\n\n 2. The duty of loyalty; and\n\n 3. The duty of confidentiality.\n\nB. A fiduciary’s or designated recipient’s authority with respect to\na digital asset of a user:\n\n 1. Except as otherwise provided in § 64.2-118, is subject to the\n applicable terms-of-service agreement;\n\n 2. Is subject to other applicable law, including copyright law;\n\n 3. In the case of a fiduciary, is limited by the scope of the\n fiduciary’s duties; and\n\n 4. May not be used to impersonate the user.\n\nC. A fiduciary with authority over the property of a decedent, protected person,\nprincipal, or settlor has the right to access any digital asset in which the\ndecedent, protected person, principal, or settlor had a right or interest and\nthat is not held by a custodian or subject to a terms-of-service agreement.\n\nD. A fiduciary acting within the scope of the fiduciary’s duties is an\nauthorized user of the property of the decedent, protected person, principal, or\nsettlor for the purpose of applicable computer-fraud and unauthorized\ncomputer-access laws, including Article 7.1 (§ 18.2-152.1 et seq.) of\nChapter 5 of Title 18.2.\n\nE. A fiduciary with authority over the tangible personal property of a decedent,\nprotected person, principal, or settlor:\n\n 1. Has the right to access the property and any digital asset stored in it;\n and\n\n 2. Is an authorized user for the purposes of computer-fraud and unauthorized\n computer-access laws, including Article 7.1 (§ 18.2-152.1 et seq.) of\n Chapter 5 of Title 18.2.\n\nF. A custodian may disclose information in an account to a fiduciary of the user\nwhen the information is required to terminate an account used to access digital\nassets licensed to the user.\n\nG. A fiduciary of a user may request a custodian to terminate the user’s\naccount. A request for termination shall be in writing, in either physical or\nelectronic form, and accompanied by:\n\n 1. If the user is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate of the\n user;\n\n 2. A certified copy of the letter of appointment of the representative or a\n small-estate affidavit or court order, court order, power of attorney, or\n trust giving the fiduciary authority over the account; and\n\n 3. If requested by the custodian:\n \t\t\t\ta. A number, username, address, or other unique subscriber or account\n identifier assigned by the custodian to identify the user’s\n account;\t\t\t\tb. Evidence linking the account to the user; or\t\t\t\tc. A finding by\n the court that the user had a specific account with the custodian,\n identifiable by the information specified in subdivision a.\n\nHISTORY: 2017, cc. 33, 80.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}