What happens to a persons property when they someone just disappears?

Jun 18 Posted by Bernie Hayward in Wills
  • If a person is not heard of for 7 years, an application can be made for Probate of their will (if there is a will) or Letters of Administration of their estate (if there is no will).
  • Death must be the most likely explanation for silence.  This means that they more likely disappeared to avoid paying their debts.
  • The time may be shortened if they were exposed to 'unusual perils' such as being lost at sea or in a plane.  This is what happened to the passengers of the plane that disappeared on the way to Lord Howe Island.
  • Sometimes the declaration of death is made by an inquest into the disappearance.
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