seven-years’-absence rule. The principle that a person who has been missing without explanation for at least seven years is legally presumed dead. Cf. ENOCH ARDEN LAW. “[I]n the United States, it is quite generally held or provided by statute that a presumption of death arises from the continued and unexplained absence of a person from […]
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disappeared person. A person who has been absent from home for a specified number of continuous years (often five or seven) and who, during that period, has not communicated with the person most likely to know his or her whereabouts. See SEVEN-YEARS’-ABSENCE RULE; MISSING PERSON. [Cases: Absentees 2. C.J.S. Absentees § 2.]
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missing person. 1. Someone whose whereabouts are unknown and, after a reasonable time, seem to be unascertainable. 2. Someone whose continuous and unexplained absence entitles the heirs to petition a court to declare the person dead and to divide up the person’s property. See SEVEN-YEARS’-ABSENCE RULE . Cf. DISAPPEARED PERSON. [Cases: Death 2. C.J.S. Death