Question

A. Natural Persons - Proof of Death

You are a lawyer handling the estate of a deceased individual. Your client, the executor of the estate, needs to establish the fact of the decedent's death for legal purposes. Discuss the following scenarios and determine the appropriate proof of death based on the provisions of the Civil Code and the Rules of Court:

1. Scenario 1:
• A person was reported missing for several years and was presumed dead by his family. There is no direct evidence to confirm his death, such as a death certificate or a body.
2. Scenario 2:
• A person was involved in a plane crash, and the wreckage and human remains were recovered and identified as belonging to him.
3. Scenario 3:
• A person drowned while swimming in a resort. Witnesses saw him struggling in the water, but despite extensive search and recovery operations, his body was never found.
4. Scenario 4:
• A person was declared legally dead by the court due to his long absence and absence of communication for a period of more than seven years.