Manage a missing person's finances and property
Make decisions
The Office of the Public Guardian will supervise you while you act as a guardian. You’ll need to keep a record of the decisions you make.
The kinds of decision the guardianship order might let you make include:
- making an investment for the person
- selling some of the person’s assets
- cancelling direct debits
Any decisions you make for someone must be right for them (‘in their best interests’).
Making decisions in someone’s best interests
Take into account:
- what they would have decided if they could
- their feelings and wishes
- their values and beliefs, including moral, political and religious views
- the views of other people who have an interest in the missing person’s property
Do not make assumptions based on their age, gender, ethnic background, sexuality or health.
It can help to:
- write down what the person has told you is important to them
- look at other things they wrote down or recorded (such as household budgets or home videos)
- speak to friends, family or colleagues who know them well
You’ll need to send a report to the Office for the Public Guardian explaining what decisions you took.
Difficult decisions and disagreements
Consult the person’s family and friends. Including everyone in a meeting can help you reach agreement.
If you cannot agree you can get advice about how to reach agreement from the Office of the Public Guardian.
Office of the Public Guardian
Telephone: 0300 456 0300
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9am to 5pm
Wednesday, 10am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Office of the Public Guardian
PO Box 16185
Birmingham
B2 2WH
You must apply again to the High Court to make a decision not covered by the guardianship order.