Rule 667 A person not heard from in five years is presumed to be dead.

If someone has not been seen or heard from for at least five years, the court will assume that person is dead. This assumption can matter in legal cases involving things like inheritance, insurance, or marriage.

This does not mean the person is officially declared dead forever. It just means that, in court, no one has to prove the person died. The burden shifts to anyone who wants to argue the person is still alive.