Who Dies First?

[danchip]

Is it right that if a married couple die in a car crash for example officially the youngest person dies last

[Barmaid]

Yes, in certain circumstances. It is the doctrine of commorientes (literally co-diers).

[Barmaid]

I should have said - it only applies in circumstances where it is impossible to determine who died first (ie car crash, boat sinking, volcano etc).

[danchip]

does this apply in scotland also

[atalanta]

Yes, true. Not just married couples. There was a very sad case last century where father and son died in the same car crash. The father was held to have died first, and the son next. So the estate had to bear 2 sets of death duties, one after the other. The estate was ruined and the stately home ( Aynhoe House) had to be sold.