Ohio judge declares man legally dead . Donald Miller vanished from Ohio in the ’80s and was later declared dead. Monday, a judge ruled against his request that he re-establish a Social Security number. Why? A quirky law does not allow a death ruling to be overturned after three years.

While he’s been “resurrected,” his death ruling cannot be changed, citing an October 10 CNN report.

Hancock County Probate Court Judge Allan Davis called it a “strange, strange situation.”

“We’ve got the obvious here. A man sitting in the courtroom, he appears to be in good health,” said Davis, who told Miller the three-year limit was clear.

“I don’t know where that leaves you, but you’re still deceased as far as the law is concerned,” the judge said.
The man hired an attorney to overturn the filing, to no avail. According to state law, a judge cannot overturn a ruling of death after three years expires. As such, the living man is legally dead and must remain so for all eternity. In this case, death is truly final for the un-dearly departed man.

His ex-wife was relieved of the court’s decision. Had the ruling gone the other way, she could have been responsible for repaying thousands of dollars in Social Security death benefits.