X-Message-Number: 579
Date: Sun, 15 Dec 91 11:03:43 PST
From: ghsvax! (Hal Finney)
Subject: CRYONICS - Legal issues

> If we assume that the technology does come into being which will allow
> a person to be revived from suspension how would the law deal or be expected
> to deal with the issues involved ? Would the person be reborn or would they
> simply have their death certificate erased ? Would they have any rights
> over "their" property which passed on death, under the probate grant, to
> relatives and or friends ? Would the suspended person still be legally
> married ?
> 
>         *******************************************************
>         *      Graham Wilson         *    *
>         *    LL.B. Law Year II       *                        *
>         *******************************************************

The closest situation I can think of today to a cryonic revival would
be a case where a person is missing and presumed dead (lost at sea, or
whatever), and a death certificate is finally issued.  Then, years
later, he shows up.

I don't know if this has ever happened outside of fiction (perhaps
cases where a person faked his own death to get out of debts or a
marriage, and is then discovered years later?).

What happens in these cases?  I would think the death certificate
would have to be cancelled.  If the person had debts, perhaps those
would now be collectible; but what happens to his assets, which would
have by now gone to other people?  What if a spouse has re-married?
What if the spouse _hasn't_ re-married?

These questions must have been dealt with in this context.  Does
anyone have any information on what happened?

Hal Finney
ghsvax!

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