When a person who has been missing for an
extended period is declared dead, even though there is usually no
evidence to support whether they are alive to deceased because they are...well, missing.
A missing person is declared dead in
absentia when they have not been located for seven years after vanishing.
Death in absentia can lead to odd scenarios if
the person comes back.
For example, a man who had gone missing long enough to be declared dead suddenly turned up again and appealed his
declaration of death in court. However, the decision was ruled irreversible, and he remained
legally dead despite his clearly being alive, as he was standing in the courtroom!