Sec. 1. Whenever a person (referred to as an absentee) serving in or with the armed forces of the United States, or a person serving as a Merchant Marine of the United States, has been reported or listed as:

(1) missing;

(2) missing in action;

(3) interned in a neutral country; or

(4) beleaguered, besieged, or captured by an enemy;

has an interest in property in Indiana or is a legal resident of Indiana and has not provided an adequate power of attorney authorizing another to act in regard to the property or interest, a court having probate jurisdiction in the county of the absentee's legal domicile or in the county where the property, or a part of the property, is situated, may appoint a guardian to manage the absentee's property, under the supervision of the court. The guardian may be appointed upon the filing of a verified petition alleging the facts and showing the necessity for the management and control of the property of the absentee made by an interested person, or on the court's own motion, after notice to or the filing of waiver of notice from the presumptive heirs of the absentee. Within ten (10) days after appointment the guardian shall publish a notice of appointment in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once each week for three (3) weeks and shall mail a copy of the notice to the absentee addressed to the absentee's last known address. Any interested person may on application to the court require the guardian to show cause why the appointment should not be revoked. If an appointment is revoked, the revocation shall be without prejudice to the rights and interests of any person who relied upon it in good faith.

Formerly: Acts 1945, c.35, s.1. As amended by P.L.33-1989, SEC.52.