Bill 8: Presumption of Death Act

This bill primarily affects lawyers, notaries, estate administrators, and financial or insurance professionals in Prince Edward Island who handle the affairs of missing persons. If you manage estates, trust accounts, or property on behalf of someone who has disappeared — for example, as an executor, trustee, or financial advisor — this law clarifies when and how you can legally act on that person's assets without personal liability. Life insurers operating in PEI should note that a court presumption-of-death order explicitly does not constitute proof of death for insurance policy claims under the Insurance Act. The bill is most relevant to solo practitioners or small legal and financial services firms rather than large employers, as it governs court-based proceedings rather than workplace practices.