( CNN ) -- An Ohio man who has been legally dead since 1994 will remain so in the eyes of the law after losing his complaint to overturn his death filing , according to authorities . Donald Miller , 61 , testified Monday that he disappeared in 1986 after losing his job , leaving behind a wife , two children and thousands of dollars of unpaid child support , according to James Hammer , the attorney for Miller 's ex-wife , Robin Miller . He was declared legally dead eight years later . Donald Miller said he returned to Ohio `` around 2005 '' with no knowledge of his legal death , and that he had hoped to reestablish his Social Security number . A legal statute in Ohio prevents changes to death rulings once three years have passed , Hammer told CNN , and Judge Allan Davis ruled accordingly in Hancock County Probate Court . `` In over 40 years , I 've never come across a case like this , '' the judge told CNN . `` In the end though , because of the statute , it was a pretty open-and-shut case . '' Hammer recounts that at the time of Donald Miller 's legal death in 1994 , he owed Robin Miller around $ 25,000 in child support , a matter which could have been complicated had the judge ruled in Donald Miller 's favor on Monday . Following the 1994 ruling , Hammer said , Robin Miller began receiving Social Security death benefits to support her two children . `` There could have been the possibility that my client would have to pay back what she received from Social Security , '' Hammer said . `` We certainly did not want to open that door , so we 're satisfied with the outcome . '' Despite her relief at the court 's ruling , Hammer says his client has no ill will toward her ex-husband . Donald Miller 's attorney was not immediately available for comment Wednesday . He still has 30 days to appeal the court 's ruling , according Judge Davis .
Donald Miller testified Monday that he disappeared in 1986 after losing his job . He left behind his wife , kids and thousands of dollars in unpaid child support . He was declared legally dead in 1994 ; he went to court seeking to overturn that ruling . The case is still pending today.