Presumption of Death

The sudden disappearance of a person who then remains missing for a lengthy period of time may give rise, in some legal systems, to a Presumption of Death. If the necessary requirements have been met the person can be deemed dead and have their assets divided via a will.These requirements may include; The person has been missing for a period of seven or more years. Said absence has gone on consistently without explanation. No person(s) have been contacted by the presumed. The person can not be found with any searches.There are cases in which the presumed has a much shorter time-span to be found. Under certain conditions where the presumed was in extreme danger, such as the collapse of the World Trade Center, or natural disasters such as avalanches, the presumed can be declared dead within a year.
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A presumption such that after a number of years, or events, an individual is presumed dead and his estate managed accordingly. - (read more on Presumption of Death)