One can't help but wonder, but here's the thing. I am pretty sure that life insurance death benefits were paid, and his estate was distributed. (And I'm sure it's a matter of public record). For this to happen based on a faked death would be felonious. It would involve insurance fraud among other crimes.
So, in order for that little quagmire to be sidestepped would involve yes, "doing ~whatever~ was necessary to get the proper papers signed, etc.", but also the involvement and knowledge of a lot of people--lawyers, beneficaries, insurance executives, perhaps even judges. Too many people would have to "know," imo. And I'm still not sure it could be done legally, even with the private agreement of all of these people.
So, then, another possibility is that he "did it" anyway, and told no one. Possible, but, then, could he ever return? Would he be arrested? Uncle Sam would be one pissed off dude, as would be insurance companies, probate judges, etc. And IF he couldn't ever return, where's "De Punch"?
Or could it be that Andy was "caught in the punch", as REM suggests?
Andyhow, these are the thoughts that have always put a big damper on the deathhoax theories for me. If I could see a way around all this, then I'd be able to believe the rest.
After all, they put a man on the moon. Or DID they?