So, what happens after the police tape comes down, or after someone’s been found (hopefully safe)? Even if the best happens, there’s still a load of grown-up stuff families have to sort out. It can be properly confusing and stressful, especially when they’ve already been through the mill with someone going missing. At Merlin Hunter, we don’t just pack up our bags once the search is over. We stick around to help families wade through all the legal bits and bobs and the paperwork nightmare. Here’s the lowdown on what that looks like.

The Official Stuff

Whether someone’s been found safe or, sadly, not, there’s always going to be official stuff to deal with. If they’re safe, there might still be questions the police need answering, or maybe even court stuff if there were legal bits involved before they went missing. If the worst has happened, there’s all the legal stuff around that – and trust us, it’s not exactly a barrel of laughs.

Sorting Out Their Life 

Think about all the things your parents have to deal with – bills, bank accounts, all that jazz. When someone goes missing or is found after a long time, all that stuff can be in limbo. We help families figure out who needs to do what and point them in the right direction for getting things sorted. It’s not the most exciting part, but it’s mega important for getting things back on track.

Dealing with the Legal Maze

This is where things can get seriously complicated. Depending on the situation, families might need to talk to solicitors (that’s UK for lawyers!). If things cross borders, like if someone went missing abroad and was found there, then you might even need lawyers from other countries. We help families understand what their rights are and who they need to speak to  get proper legal advice.

The Financial Faff

Let’s be real, money can be a massive worry when someone goes missing. Bills might not have been paid, or there might be questions about what happens to their bank accounts. We can help families figure out who to talk to – like financial advisors – to get some clear advice and sort out any money dramas.

Mental Health Support

Going through the stress of someone going missing takes a massive toll on your mental health. Even when they’re found, there can be a lot of emotions to deal with. We make sure families know where they can get proper support, whether that’s talking to a therapist or finding support groups. Looking after your head is just as important as sorting out the paperwork.

Keeping Everyone in the Loop

Throughout all this, we make sure we keep talking to the families. We explain what’s going on in plain English (not loads of legal jargon) and answer any questions they’ve got. We know it’s a tough time, and keeping everyone informed helps to ease some of the stress and confusion. Basically, we stick around. Finding someone is the main goal, but we know that’s not the end of the story for the families involved. We’re there to help them navigate all the messy bits that come after, so they can start to rebuild and move forward. It’s all part of providing proper support when people are going through something seriously tough.