Defined legal service
Recognition as missing or declaration of death
Distinguishing long-term absence, a legal presumption of death and proof of an actual death, then reviewing time periods, search material and the applicant’s legal purpose.
The problem you need to resolve
- family, co-owner or creditor rights depend on resolving prolonged uncertainty
- there is no conclusive proof of death but search or dangerous-circumstance material exists
What you receive
- a route and consequences map
- an agreed application
What we do
- review the questionnaire, deadlines and agreed document list
- separate verified facts from assumptions and define the legal objective
- purpose and venue
- time periods and search material
- application and later registration steps
What we need from you
- last contact and address
- police and search records
- military or service material
- property, family and legal-interest records
- answer focused follow-up questions and verify the factual information
- do not send a full set of sensitive documents before the conflict-of-interest check and agreement of a protected channel
Fees
- Fees depend on the facts and scope of support. After a short discussion, we explain what the work includes and its cost. Fees are agreed before work begins.
- A possible first stage is a written action plan: review of agreed documents, legal assessment, next steps, deadlines, risks and alternatives.
- Additional objectives, extensive materials and foreign-language documents are discussed separately.
- Court fees and other mandatory payments are separate from the lawyer's fee. Notarial, translation, valuation and expert costs are also agreed separately.
What may change the route
- objections or new claims from another party
- missing, inconsistent or newly received documents
- the need for valuation, expert evidence, a notarial or registration step
- existing court or enforcement proceedings, a missed or imminent deadline
- the ruling can be cancelled if the person returns
- time depends on the circumstances
When this service is not suitable
- a proved death in occupied territory follows a special fact-establishment route
- a missing-person report does not guarantee a declaration
How we report progress
- we agree the communication channel before work begins
- we report receipt of materials, completion of the assessment, document readiness and the next required action
- where new facts or extra work arise, we first explain the effect on timing and fees and ask for your approval
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
How is missing status different?
It does not create all legal consequences of death.
Is six months always enough for a service member?
No. Special periods and evidence are assessed.
Can a death fact be established instead?
Only where reliable evidence proves death.