If an estate or property has been received, recovered or taken into possession by any person by reason of a declaration of death under the provisions of this chapter and in any action or proceeding it is thereafter proved that the person declared dead was alive at the time of the receipt, recovery or taking into possession, the estate or property, or its reasonable value at that time, shall, except as otherwise provided by law, be restored to the person deprived thereof by reason of the declaration, or to his heirs, devisees, personal representative or other persons entitled thereto. He or they may also demand and recover the income, rents and profits therefrom during the time he was or they were deprived thereof.
N.J.S. § 3B:27-2