Care Home Funding (what if mum sold me her house!?)

gandalftheking

Hi all

My mum is in increasing ill health, and may decide to go into a care home in the near future. She owns her house outright. As far as I can tell, the exorbitant rates charged by care homes would mean that her house would be need to be sold (as her sole form of funding) to cover the ongoing costs of her place in the care home.

Now, what if she didn't own her own home?
Would Adult care step in a fund her place in a care home?
What if she decided to sell her house to me for £1? (i.e. therefore leaving her a non home owner).

I just don't want to fall into a trap with all this, when there may be a smart way out of it. It's akin to the difference between tax evasion and avoidance (i.e. nothing wrong with the latter! )

Members wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks all.

spadoosh

You would get a massive tax bill should god forbid she pass away in the next 7 years.

Plans_all_plans

Google deprivation of assets and you will find out.

If it was as easy as selling the house to you for a pound, a lot of people would be at it.

As an aside, it would be unfair for someone with assets to expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab for their care, just so their child got an inheritance.

rachbc

plus an attempt for the council to persue for deliberate deprivation of assets.....

Why exactly is it that you think your mother shouldn't pay for her care if she can afford it?

Person_one

Yeah, you're not the first person to think of that, or even the thousandth.

If she isn't going to live in her house then she doesn't need it does she? Why shouldn't her assets pay for her care? Because you've got your eye on a bit of a windfall from your inheritance?

Oldernotwiser

Stop trying to defraud the system! If you want your mother to avoid care home fees, look after her yourself.

pinksleepybear

If she's living in a care home, why would she need a house as well?

Or are you asking because you want her house? In which case, I suggest you care for your mother in your home.

spadoosh

Also youd be amazed at how much it costs to run a nursing home thus the 'exorbitant' rates.

Your post suggest (forgive me if im wrong) that your more concerned at this moment your mother has something to leave in a will. The state will provide but do you really think it should when your mother can fund going into a nursing home?!

gandalftheking

rachbc wrote: »

plus an attempt for the council to persue for deliberate deprivation of assets.....

Why exactly is it that you think your mother shouldn't pay for her care if she can afford it?

Because care costs are ridiculous for what you get. I don't want to get into the debate of the morality of this though; it was merely a request for info. Thanks for all the replies. Going to look into discretionary trusts...

spadoosh

I dont know how much she has to pay but try this scenario. You leave your job and provide everything your mother needs (food, utilites etc etc) Give her 24/ 7 care (which you wouldnt be able to as you would need to sleep so factor in employing someone at least 8 hours a day for 365 days lets say 17k at a guesstimate. right is your tally now over the cost of the nursing home?? Still think its a rip off?!

Fire_Fox

Why don't you want your mother to have the best care she can afford in her twilight years? Where there a will there's relations I suppose.