Manage a missing person's finances and property
Keeping records, giving gifts and claiming expenses
You must keep financial records and accounts. Follow the rules for gifts and expenses. You must also record the transactions in your guardianship report.
Keeping records
Keep a record if you:
- make an investment for the person
- sell the person’s home, car or other valuables
- use the person’s money to buy someone a gift
- ask someone for advice and any disagreements
- close an account
- pay a bill
You must keep copies of:
- bank statements and receipts
- invoices
- contracts for services or tradespeople
- letters and emails about your activities as a guardian
The Office of the Public Guardian might ask you to send these in when it reviews your guardian report.
Giving gifts
Your guardianship order will say if you can buy gifts or give gifts of money on behalf of the person, including donations to charities. It will also say if there’s a limit on what you can spend.
You must be sure the person can afford the gift.
Expenses
Check your guardianship order to find out whether or not you can claim expenses. You can only claim expenses if the order gives you permission and for things you must do to carry out your role as a guardian, for example:
- hiring a professional to do things like fill in the person’s tax return
- travel costs
- stationery
- postage
- phone calls
You can be ordered to repay the person’s money if you misuse it or make decisions to benefit yourself.
Keep your receipts and invoice the person for your expenses.