//in the model
class User extends Eloquent {

    protected $softDelete = true;

}

//in the migration, to create a soft delete column
$table->softDeletes();

//to force query to return the deleted items
$users = User::withTrashed()->where('account_id', 1)->get();


//to have query return ONLY the deleted items
$users = User::onlyTrashed()->where('account_id', 1)->get();

//to undelete a soft deleted model
$user->restore();

//or use the restore method on a query
User::withTrashed()->where('account_id', 1)->restore();

//to full delete, not soft delete
$user->forceDelete();