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MIL in care home

My MIL was admitted into a temporary care home 10 days ago, be be assessed. She has a urine infection so she cannot have her memory tested until this has cleared up. She is very "forgetful" and also unsteady when walking. It's clear that she will need some full time care in a home.

My husband along with another member of his family own the house she lived in.

Is there any way we can find out what money she has. We recently found out by chance that she has a small nest egg in addition to one we knew about.

My concern is, when the council come to do a financial assessment, how can we be upfront about all her monies?
Loved our trip to the West Coast USA. Death Valley is the place to go!

Comments

  • cte1111
    cte1111 Posts: 7,390 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Does anyone have power of attorney for your MIL? This would make life easier.

    I had to do financial assessment forms for both my Dad and Gran when they went into care homes. The easiest way to find out what accounts they had was to go through their own paperwork. Both of my relatives were pretty organised though, so this might not help if your MIL tends to chuck everything out.

    Fingers crossed than when your MIL has had some treatment for her UTI, she might be less confused and back to her usual self. If so, then I would try and raise the question of her setting up a POA in case she needed help from your husband or other carer in the future. It might well be that the nest egg that you do know about is more than enough to pay for her care in the meantime.
  • northwest1965
    northwest1965 Posts: 2,135 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    LPA was drawn up at the solicitors back in 2007. It has not been registered though. Apparently my husband needs a certificate from the doctor for that to be done.

    Our concern is, if we say she has £20k but "really" has £40k, what would happen?
    Loved our trip to the West Coast USA. Death Valley is the place to go!
  • Torry_Quine
    Torry_Quine Posts: 18,893 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Doesn't her husband know of any bank accounts etc?
    Lost my soulmate so life is empty.

    I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
    Diana Gabaldon, Outlander
  • cte1111
    cte1111 Posts: 7,390 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Our concern is, if we say she has £20k but "really" has £40k, what would happen?
    Very little I should think. If you did find out later that she had more capital than you thought, then the right thing to do would be to contact the council and let them know. They could then do another financial assessment and any outstanding fees could then be paid.
  • northwest1965
    northwest1965 Posts: 2,135 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Doesn't her husband know of any bank accounts etc?

    She lost her husband 20 years ago
    Loved our trip to the West Coast USA. Death Valley is the place to go!
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