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Manage the finances or property of a missing person, someone kidnapped or taken hostage, or in a foreign prison and not able to communicate. Apply to the High Court to be a guardian. You'll need a guardianship order.

• Overview

  You can apply to be a guardian and manage the finances or property of…

• Who can apply

  You can apply if you’re the missing person’s: husband, wife or civil…

• Apply to be a guardian

  You can make a claim yourself or use a legal representative. Fill in the…

• How much it costs

  You must pay either: a £528 application fee if you apply to the Chancery…

• After you've applied

  The court will send copies of your form back to you, with ‘acknowledgement…

• When you’re appointed as a guardian

  The guardianship order will tell you when you can start to make decisions…

• Make decisions

  The Office of the Public Guardian will supervise you while you act as a…

• Keeping records, giving gifts and claiming expenses

  You must keep financial records and accounts. Follow the rules for gifts…

• Complete your report

  You must write a report for the Office of the Public Guardian each year…

• Make a decision that's not covered by the order

  You must apply to the High Court if you need to change your guardianship,…

• When the guardianship ends

  Your guardianship ends automatically if one of the following things…

• Updated: 10 March 2022

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