11 Oct Judge Tells Man in His Court: You’re Dead

The ABA Journal tells us of poor Donald Miller of Ohio. An alcoholic who lost his job and left his wife and town back in 1986, he was declared dead back in 1994, 8 years later. His “widow” has been receiving Social Security death benefits for her kids since then.  He came back to Ohio to appear before Judge Allan Davis of Hancock County to try to reverse the death ruling so he can get back his Social Security number and driver’s license.

The ex-wife challenged his attempt because she didn’t want to lose the death benefits and could be forced to pay back everything she had received. The judge said sorry, dude, you’re still dead. Apparently in Ohio, you can no longer challenge a death ruling after 3 years have gone by.

Miller could still try to take the Social Security Administration to court, but has no money and his lawyer said it doesn’t look like he has the ability to get it done. Does this make sense? Yes statutes of limitations exist to give people closure on things, but one would this is the ultimate un-closure moment no? What do you think?