•  
  •  
 

Abstract

One of the provisions in inheritance laws regarding the transfer of digital property after someone's death is a relatively new and evolving area of legal consideration. Inheritance laws were developed long before the widespread adoption of digital property, such as cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), online accounts, and other forms of digital property. As a result, existing inheritance laws often lack clear guidance on how to control the legal transfer of these digital assets upon the owner's death. This article aims to analyze the legal concept of digital property to be inherited and to provide solutions for current digital property inheritance issues from a notarial perspective. This study conducts a thorough analysis of digital property under inheritance law and how notaries should play a role in digital inheritance matters. A method of doctrinal legal analysis of current national and international laws and regulations pertaining to digital property succession is also employed, as well as comparative legislative studies examining proposed policies across jurisdictions to garner real-world insights into the operational challenges, emerging practices, and pragmatic considerations surrounding notary participation in digital inheritance procedures. Updating inheritance laws to address the transfer of digital property is crucial to protect the rights and interests of individuals, promote legal certainty, and ensure that these valuable assets are properly accounted for and transferred to rightful heirs or beneficiaries. The law of property in the Indonesian Civil Code needs to be immediately adjusted to the development of the digitalization era. This article suggests optimizing the role of notaries to create authentic deeds on digital property inheritance.

Keywords: Digital property, inheritance, notary, will.

Bahasa Abstract

Salah satu ketentuan dalam hukum waris mengenai peralihan kebendaan digital setelah kematian seseorang merupakan bidang hukum yang relatif baru dan berkembang di masyarakat. Hukum waris telah ada jauh sebelum kebendaan digital diterima secara luas, seperti mata uang kripto, token yang tidak dapat dipertukarkan (NFT), akun media sosial, dan berbagai bentuk kebendaan digital lainnya. Sebagai akibatnya, hukum waris yang ada tidak memiliki panduan yang jelas tentang cara menangani pengalihan kebendaan digital secara sah setelah kematian pemiliknya. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis konsep hukum kebendaan digital yang akan diwariskan dan memberikan solusi untuk masalah pewarisan kebendaan digital saat ini dari perspektif kenotariatan. Penelitian ini menganalisis secara menyeluruh tentang hukum waris kebendaan digital dan bagaimana notaris harus berperan dalam masalah pewarisan kebendaan digital. Metode penelitian hukum doktrinal terhadap peraturan perundang-undangan nasional dan internasional yang berkaitan dengan peralihan kebendaan digital juga dipergunakan, begitu pula dilakukan studi komparatif yang meneliti kebijakan pengaturan di lintas negara untuk mengumpulkan wawasan dunia mengenai tantangan operasional dan praktik yang ada, serta pertimbangan pragmatis seputar keterlibatan notaris dalam prosedur pewarisan kebendaan digital. Memperbarui hukum waris guna mengatasi persoalan pewarisan kebendaan digital sangat penting dilakukan untuk melindungi hak dan kepentingan individu, menciptakan kepastian hukum, dan memastikan bahwa aset berharga ini dapat dipertanggungjawabkan secara hukum dan diwariskan kepada ahli waris secara sah. Hukum kebendaan dalam Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Perdata perlu segera disesuaikan dengan perkembangan era digitalisasi. Artikel ini menyarankan optimalisasi peran notaris dalam pembuatan akta autentik terkait pewarisan kebendaan digital.

Kata Kunci: Kebendaan digital, notaris, waris, wasiat

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Journal Articles and Periodicals

Asmara, Teguh Tresna Puja, Lastuti Abubakar, and Tri Handayani. “Digital Assets: The Idea of Indonesian Property Law Reform and Its Potential as a Collateral Object.” Hasanuddin Law Review 5, no. 3 (2020): 278-288. https://doi.org/10.20956/halrev.v5i3.1735.

Banta, Natalie M. “Electronic Wills and Digital Assets: Reassessing Formality in the Digital Age.” Baylor Law Review 71, no. 3 (2019): 547-603.

Berlee, Anna. “Digital Inheritance in the Netherlands.” Journal of European Consumer and Market Law 6 (2017): 256-260.

Blazer, Charles. “The Five Indicia of Virtual Property.” Pierce Law Review 5, no. 1 (2006): 137-161.

Brucker-Kley, Elke, et al. “Passing and Passing on in the Digital World – Issues and Solutions for the Digital Estate.” IADIS International Journal 11, no. 2 (2013): 34–48.

Davydova, Iryna, Larysa Didenko, and Viktoriya Tomina. “Legal Nature and Inheritance of Virtual Property in Ukraine and the World: Current Status, Problems, Prospects.” Ius Humani, Revista de Derecho 10, no. 2 (2021): 1–26.

Dyahsitasari, Febrianti, and Muhammad Yassir. “Aset Digital Bitcoin Sebagai Objek Harta Waris Dalam Perspektif Hukum Islam Kontemporer.” Bustanul Fuqaha: Jurnal Bidang Hukum Islam 4, no. 2 (2023): 222-236.

Erlank, Wian. “Property Relationships in Virtual Worlds – A Return to the Feudal System?” Corporate Board Role Duties and Composition 11, no. 3 (2015): 153–165. https://doi.org/10.22495/cbv11i3art12.

Fairfield, Joshua A. T. “Virtual Property.” Boston University Law Review 85 (2005): 1047–1102.

Feyles, Martino Maria. “Two Problems of the Biological Philosophy of Technology.” Philosophy & Technology 35, no. 2 (2022): 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-022-00518-2.

Fras, Mariusz. “Succession of Digital Goods. A Comparative Legal Study.” Review of European and Comparative Law 47, no. 4 (2021): 67–81. https://doi.org/10.31743/recl.12859.

Gong, Jennifer Z. “Defining and Addressing Virtual Property to International Treaties.” Boston University Journal of Science & Technology Law 17, no. 1 (2011): 1–39.

Gunawan, Nicolas Mario. “Pewarisan Akun Digital [Digital Account Inheritance].” Lex Patrimonium 1, no. 1 (2022): 1–16.

Katuk, Norliza, Norazlina Abd Wahab, and Nur Syaedah Kamis. “Cryptocurrency Estate Planning: The Challenges, Suggested Solutions and Malaysia’s Future Directions.” Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance 25, no. 4 (2023): 325–350. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-10-2021-0126.

Klasicek, Dubravka, and Tomislav Nedic. “Contemporary Property (Rights) Challenges: Digital Assets, Animals and Human Body Parts.” EU and Comparative Law Issues and Challenges Series 1, no. 7 (2023): 414–442.

Koos, Stefan. “The Individual And The Property In Virtual Worlds.” Veritas et Justitia 8, no. 2 (2022): 267–286. https://doi.org/10.25123/vej.v8i2.5627.

Mikk, Tiina, and Karin Sein. “Digital Inheritance: Heirs’ Right to Claim Access to Online Accounts under Estonian Law.” Juridica International 27 (2018): 117–128. https://doi.org/10.12697/JI.2018.27.12.

Nekit, Kateryna. “Social Media Account as an Object of Virtual Property.” Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology 14, no. 2 (2020): 201-226. https://doi.org/10.5817/MUJLT2020-2-3.

Nemeth, Kristin, Jorge Morais Carvalho, and Edina Harbinja. “Digital Inheritance in the European Union.” Journal of European Consumer and Market Law 6 (2017): 253.

Omelchuk, Oleksandr, Inna Iliopol, and Snizhanna Alina. “Features of Inheritance of Cryptocurrency Assets.” Ius Humani, Revista de Derecho 10, no. 1 (2021): 103–122.

Ronderos, Joseph. “Is Access Enough? Addressing Inheritability of Digital Assets Using the Three-Tier System Under the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.” Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law 18, no. 3 (2017): 1031-1066.

Saidakhrarovich, Gulyamov Said. “Digitalization in Inheritance Law.” World Bulletin of Management and Law 10 (2022).

Vučković, Romana Matanovac, and Ivana Kanceljak. “Does The Right To Use Digital Content Affect Our Digital Inheritance?” EU And Comparative Law Issues and Challenges Series, no. 3 (2019): 724-746. https://doi.org/10.25234/eclic/9029.

Books and Book chapters

Adjie, Habib. Hukum Notaris Indonesia, Tafsir Tematik Terhadap UU No. 30 Tahun 2004 Tentang Jabatan Notaris [Indonesian Notary Law, Thematic Interpretation of Law No. 30 of 2004 concerning the Notary Position], 3rd ed. Bandung: PT Refika Aditama, 2011.

Adjie, Habib. Meneropong Khazanah Notaris Dan PPAT Indonesia [Watching the Indonesian Notary and PPAT Treasure], 1st ed. Bandung: PT Citra Aditya Bakti, 2009.

Ahmad, Z. Ansori. Sejarah Dan Kedudukan BW Di Indonesia [History and Position of BW in Indonesia]. Jakarta: CV Rajawali, 1986.

Anand, Ghansam. Karakteristik Jabatan Notaris Di Indonesia [Characteristics of Notary Positions in Indonesia. 1st ed. Jakarta: Prenadamedia Group, 2018.

Bachrudin, Gunarto, and Eko Soponyono. Hukum Kenotariatan: Membangun Sistem Kenotariatan Indonesia Berkeadilan [Notarial Law: Building a Fair Indonesian Notary System]. 1st ed. Bandung: PT Refika Aditama, 2019.

Bessarab, N. S. “Digital Right in the Field of Inheritance.” Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research 138 (2020): 366-370. https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.200502.060.

Budiono, Herlien. Kumpulan Tulisan Hukum Perdata Di Bidang Kenotariatan [A Collection of Civil Law Articles on the Notarial Field], 4th ed. Bandung: PT Citra Aditya Bakti, 2016.Erlank, Wian. Property in Virtual Worlds. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University, 2012.

Gayo, Ahyar Ari. Perspektif Pengawasan, Pendidikan Dan Perbuatan Pidana [Perspectives on Supervision, Education and Criminal Acts]. Jakarta: Balitbangkumham Press, 2020.

Harbinja, Edina. Digital Death, Digital Assets and Post-Mortem Privacy. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2023.

Makarim, Edmon. Notaris Dan Transaksi Elektronik, Kajian Hukum Tentang Cybernotary Atau Electronic Notary [Notary and Electronic Transactions, Legal Studies on Cybernotary or Electronic Notary]. 4th ed. Depok: Rajawali Pers, 2020.

Mousourakis, George. Roman Law and the Origins of the Civil Law Tradition. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12268-7.

Satrio, J. Hukum Waris [Inheritance Law]. Bandung: Penerbit Alumni, 2006.

Selenggang, Chairunnisa Said. Notaris Sebagai Pejabat Umum [Notary as a Public Officer], 1st ed. Depok: PT Rajawali Buana Pusaka, 2023.

Siahaan, Rudy Haposan, Rini Irianti Sundary, Bachrudin, Agus Satory, Sunardy, Fitria Dewi Navisa, Rika Budi Antawati, et al. Hukum Kenotariatan Indonesia [Indonesian Notarial Law]. 1st ed. Bandung: Media Sains Indonesia, 2022.

Sjaifurrachman, and Habib Adjie. Aspek Pertanggungjawaban Notaris Dalam Pembuatan Akta [Aspects of Notary Accountability in Making Deeds]. 1st ed. Bandung: CV Mandar Maju, 2011.

Walt, A. J. van der. Constitutional Property Law, 1st ed. Cape Town: Juta, 2005.

Legal Documents

Delaware. The Act to Amend Title 12 of the Delaware Code. Available at .

Indonesia. Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Perdata (Burgerlijk Wetboek). [Indonesian Civil Code trans. R. Subekti and R. Tjitrosudibio].

Indonesia. Kompilasi Hukum Islam Indonesia (The Indonesian Compilation of Islamic Law). Enacted based on the Instruksi Presiden Republik Indonesia tentang Penyebarluasan Kompilasi Hukum Islam.

Indonesia. Instruksi Presiden tentang Penyebarluasan Kompilasi Hukum Islam, Inpres No. 1 Tahun 1991. (Presidential Instruction of the Republic of Indonesia concerning the Dissemination of the Compilation of Islamic Law, Presidential Instruction No. 1 Year 1991).

Indonesia. Peraturan Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi tentang Ketentuan Teknis Penyelenggaraan Pasar Fisik Aset Kripto (Crypto Assets) di Bursa Berjangka, Peraturan Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi No. 5 Year 2019 (Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency Regulation on Technical Provisions for the Implementation of the Physical Market for Crypto Assets (Crypto Assets) on the Futures Exchange, Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency Regulation No. 5 Year 2019).

Indonesia. Peraturan Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi tentang Perubahan atas Peraturan Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi No. 5 Tahun 2019 tentang Ketentuan Teknis Penyelenggaraan Pasar Fisik Aset Kripto (Crypto Assets) di Bursa Berjangka, Peraturan Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi No. 5 Tahun 2019 (Regulation of the Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency on the Amendments to Regulation of the Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency No. 5 Year 2019 on Technical Provisions for Organizing the Physical Market for Crypto Assets (Crypto Assets) on the Futures Exchange, Regulation of the Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency No. 9 Year 2019).

Indonesia. Peraturan Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi tentang Perubahan Kedua atas Peraturan Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi No. 5 Tahun 2019 tentang Ketentuan Teknis Penyelenggaraan Pasar Fisik Aset Kripto (Crypto Assets) di Bursa Berjangka, Peraturan Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi No. 2 Tahun 2020 (Regulation of the Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency on the Second Amendment to the Regulation of the Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency No. 5 Year 2019 Technical Provisions for the Implementation of the Physical Market for Crypto Assets (Crypto Assets) on the Futures Exchange, Regulation of the Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency No. 2 Year 2020).

Indonesia, Peraturan Menteri Perdagangan tentang Kebijakan Umum Penyelenggaraan Perdagangan Berjangka, Peraturan Menteri Perdagangan No. 99 Tahun 2018 (Minister of Trade Regulation on General Policy for Implementing Crypto Asset Futures Trading, Minister of Trade Regulation No. 99 Year 2018).

Indonesia. Peraturan Pemerintah tentang Penyelenggaraan Sistem dan Transaksi Elektronik. PP No. 71 Tahun 2019. (Government Regulations on the Implementation of Electronic Systems and Transactions, Government Regulations No. 71 Year 2019).

Indonesia. Peraturan Presiden tentang Tanggung Jawab Perusahaan Platform Digital Untuk Mendukung Jurnalisme Berkualitas, PP No. 32 Tahun 2024 (Presidential Regulation on the Corporate Responsibility of Digital Platforms to Support Quality Journalism, Presidential Regulation No. 32 Year 2024).

Indonesia. Undang-Undang Dasar Republik Indonesia 1945. (The 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia).

Indonesia. Undang-Undang tentang Informasi dan Transaksi Elektronik. UU No. 11 Tahun 2008. (Law on Information and Electronic Transactions, Law Number 11 of 2008). As amended by Undang-Undang tentang Perubahan Undang-Undang Nomor 11 Tahun 2008 tentang Informasi dan Transaksi Elektronik. UU No.19 Tahun 2016. Law on Amendments to Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions, Law Number 19 of 2016, and Undang-Undang tentang Perubahan Kedua Undang-Undang Nomor 11 Tahun 2008 tentang Informasi dan Transaksi Elektronik. UU No.1 Tahun 2024. Law on the Second Amendment to Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions, Law Number 1 of 2024.

Indonesia. Undang-Undang tentang Jabatan Notaris. UU No. 30 Tahun 2004. (Law on Notary Position, Law Number 30 Year 2004). As amended by Law on Amendments to Law Number 30 Year 2004 concerning Notary Position, Law Number 2 Year 2014.

Indonesia. Undang-Undang tentang Kewarganegaraan, UU No. 12 Tahun 2006. (Law on Citizenship, Law No. 12 Year 2006).

Indonesia. Undang-Undang tentang Penghapusan Diskriminasi Ras dan Etnis, UU No. 40 Tahun 2008. (Law on the Elimination of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination, Law No. 40 Year 2008).

Indonesia. Undang-Undang tentang Perlindungan Data Pribadi. UU No. 27 Tahun 2022. (Law on Personal Data Protection, Law Number 27 Year 2022).

Indonesia. Undang-Undang tentang Perubahan atas Undang-Undang No. 23 Tahun 2006 tentang Adminitrasi Kependudukan, UU No. 24 Tahun 2013 (Law on Amendments to Law No. 23 Year 2006 on Population Administration, Law No. 24 Year 2013).

Web Sources

Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa. “Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI) [Great Indonesian Dictionary].” Accessed 28 February 2024. https://kbbi.web.id/aset.

Banta, Natalie. “Estate Planning for Your Digital Assets.” The Conversation. Accessed 1 March 2024. https://theconversation.com/estate-planning-for-your-digital-assets-90613.

Delaware General Assembly. “Delaware General Assembly.” Accessed 1 March 2024. http://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail/23219.

Facebook. “Legacy Contacts.” Accessed 29 February 2024. https://www.facebook.com/help/103897939701143.

Kompas. “Data Pribadi Setelah Meninggal Rentan Disalahgunakan [Personal Data After Death Vulnerable to Misuse].” Accessed 3 February 2024. https://www.kompas.id/baca/humaniora/2023/02/ 06/data-pribadi-setelah-meninggal-rentan-disalahgunakan.

Others

Davey, Tina. “Until Death Do Us Part: Post-mortem, Privacy for the Ante-mortem Person.” PhD. Thesis, University of East Anglia, 2020.\

Indonesian Constitutional Court. Decision No. 02/PUU-I/2003, Pengujian Undang-Undang Nomor 20 Tahun 2002 tentang Ketenagalistrikan [Review on Law No. 20 of 2002 on Electricity].

Kolk, Kristen-Alex. “Digital Inheritance in The European Union.” Thesis, Tallinn University of Technology, 2020.

Salam, Abdul. “Hukum Kebendaan Digital (Digital Property): Kajian Hukum Keperdataan Terhadap Kebendaan Digital [Digital Property Law: A Study of Civil Law on Digital Property].” Doctoral Thesis, Universitas Indonesia, 2017.

Tubrazy, Shahid Jamal. “The Concept of Digital Inheritance in Cyberspace.” Accessed 6 February 2024. https://www.academia.edu/8908291/The_Concept_of_Digital_Inheritance_in_ Cyberspace.

Download

Share

COinS