22 CFR §72.8

1. (a)A consular officer should act as provisional conservator of the personal estate of a United States citizen or non-citizen national who dies abroad in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of §§ 72.9 through 72.27. The consular officer may act as provisional conservator only with respect to the portion of the personal estate located within the consular officer's district.
2. (b)A consular officer may act as provisional conservator only to the extent that doing so is:
   1. (1)Authorized by treaty provisions;
   2. (2)Not prohibited by the laws or authorities of the country where the personal estate is located; or
   3. (3)Permitted by established usage in that country.