A father who appealed to take over his missing son’s bank accounts is welcoming a new law that has passed through parliament.

Despite being missing since February 2016, direct debits continued to leave 34-year-old Carl Hodge's bank account and his father Eddie Hodges, 69, was unable to do anything about it.

But yesterday, guardianship legislation passed its final stage in the House of Lords and is now awaiting Royal Assent to become law.

Currently there is no legal provision for families to take over their relation’s financial and legal affairs while they are missing. This can mean a struggle to ensure their missing loved one’s bills are paid, their homes are protected and their dependents’ needs are looked after.

For some, these practical difficulties have meant lost savings, debt and lost homes. When the bill gains royal assent, families can apply for the right to look after their missing loved one's affairs.

Mr Hodges, of Northwood, said: “For more than a year now, our family has been in pieces not knowing where Carl is or whether he is safe.

“And on top of this, we’ve been forced to contest with banks, councils, estate agents, car insurance companies; all of whom refuse to speak to us as we are not the account holders.

“We’re so pleased that this new law will make it that little bit easier for other families facing this awful situation in the future.”

READ MORE: Father appeals to take over missing son's bank accounts

Carl’s partner, Charlotte, said: “Living without Carl has been so difficult in so many different ways. Having to cope with the financial issues just makes everything harder.

“I couldn’t be more pleased that this new law will ensure that families like ours don’t have to struggle with these practical difficulties while also searching for their missing person.”

The charity Missing People has been campaigning for guardianship legislation to end these difficulties for more than six years, alongside many families who have faced financial and legal battles.

Susannah Drury, director of policy and research at Missing People, said: “We are delighted that after years of campaigning, guardianship of a missing person’s affairs will finally become part of the law.

“It will not only help to lessen the strain on thousands of families already dealing with the emotional distress of having a missing loved one, but it will also mean that a missing person who returns will not find their legal and financial affairs in disarray.”