Book Copyright

This looks to be one of the best places to ask your question.

http://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/copyright-research/ownership-and-transfers/

It would be the same as any other business assets and your answer is maybe depending on who ended up with control/ownership of that asset of the business and if they wish to sell those assets.

I know of one of my very favor author who committed suicide with no will and no family and the Commonwealth of PA have been receiving royals for the last thirty years or so on the man books as a result.

Someone else owns it.