Device access
If locked, consult device manufacturer policies; estate attorneys may help with court orders in difficult cases
Some steps differ by region inside the country.
Where
Their phone, laptop, and tablet. Apple and Google both operate formal legacy and deceased user processes.
How
Try known passcodes carefully, since repeated failures can lock or erase a device.
Check whether they designated an Apple Legacy Contact or set up Google Inactive Account Manager, which gives you direct access.
Otherwise submit a request through the platform's deceased user process with the death certificate and court letters.
Do not factory reset or wipe anything until you are certain nothing on it is needed.
What to bring
A certified copy of the death certificate
Letters testamentary, which the platforms often require
The device and its serial number
Timing
Platform requests commonly take several weeks.
This is practical information, not legal, medical, or financial advice.