On 27 April 2017 the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 received Royal Assent. The Act provides for applications to court to appoint a guardian for a missing person in respect of their property and financial affairs. There will be a system for supervising and regulating the way that guardians exercise powers allowed by the Act. The main provisions of the Act will come into force on a date to be fixed in the future.
Christopher Shepherd, Partner and Head of Litigation at Courtyard Solicitors in Wimbledon, London commented, “Once the Act is brought in to force it will create a system so that families will be able to manage a loved one's affairs whilst they remain missing. In the absence of such a provision families can struggle to keep their relatives finances on an even keel and in order. Problems can arise for the missing person in relation to banking, mortgages, benefits and utility bills and such difficulties can impact severely on the missing person’s family. The new regime when in force will be a significant improvement on the current situation”
Do you need advice from experienced and professional solicitors in Wimbledon and Totnes, South Devon about the issues raised in this article? Please contact us if you would like some advice.
