Deprivation of assets

DairyQueen

Hutch100uk wrote: »

I do realise this topic would raise some 'moral issues' and indignation with many but, just to re-iterate, I'm not looking for people's personal opinions on that side of it. Although I'm sure some can't help but give them regardless.

Those are the opinions of the people that your parents expect to fund their care so I think that such opinions are highly relevant. I can see why you would wish to marginalise these opinions but s/he that pays the piper has a right to express their opinion as loudly as they choose. I can't see any reason why I should pay for your parents' care whilst my (not wealthy) parents pay their own way. Moral bankruptcy is no defence for what your parents are attempting and I (for one) hope that they get stung. That would be no more than they deserve.

westiod

I've recently been through all this with my father first, he had Alzheimers and constant falls left him disabled, and now my mother has had a pacemaker implanted, it stopped working and 3 weeks in hospital has left her unable to look after herself. When Dad went into a nursing home, their home was not included in the financial assessment as Mum was still living there. But 50% of his pension was taken by the LA to pay for his care. He died at 90, nearly 2 years ago and now Mum is also 90 and her house has to be sold so she can self-fund her care costs.

There is a 12-week disregard of the property value so that helps but we need to apply for a deferred payment loan from the LA to cover costs until the sale goes through. Luckily I have LPA both for her Health & Welfare and Finance & Property but even so this is not a trivial task. The LA (West Sussex) requires a huge number of documents, most of which have been already supplied during the first financial assessment. But now I have to give them sight of my passport plus original utility bills and bank statements as they don't recognise online documents if I print them out for them. Two different departments in the same LA won't share information and demand different forms of ID. I don't have a photocard driving licence as I took my test over 50 years ago and this has caused huge problems. You need to be prepared to do a lot of work and be very firm with Social Services as they will suggest all sorts of ghastly places if it takes time to find the right home for your parent.

I'm not complaining about doing this for Mum but I do feel that the LA makes these applications for financial assistance as difficult as possible to discourage people from applying. But it is much better to be honest and not look for ways to avoid payment. You need to supply 6 months of bank statements and every transaction is examined. Anything unrecognised will be queried and if you don't have a legitimate explanation the application will be rejected.

Mojisola

westiod wrote: »

I'm not complaining about doing this for Mum but I do feel that the LA makes these applications for financial assistance as difficult as possible to discourage people from applying.

I agree that it seems overly complicated and departments don't share information - I lost track of the number of people who had to be told the same information again and again - very inefficient! - but I got the feeling it was lack of competence rather than deliberate.

I also found that some staff were lacking in knowledge - again, very frustrating having to explain things to the people who were paid to know them!

atush

adam81 wrote: »

Just on this point, my parents have a house they are looking to leave in their will. If left to the children would CGT still be due? Currently they have a large amount of CGT in the property which is why they are holding on to it.

Is it the same if they left it to grandchildren?

The value at the date of probate is the value not the value now. So there isnt CGT to pay on inheritance if the property is sold soon after.

humptydumptybits

Hutch100uk wrote: »

My parents know all about the care home system. My grandmother was in one for a short time so they are well aware of all this.
My grandmother ended up in state funded one locally and was perfectly fine.

I'm sure my solicitor will come up with more practical reasons to convince them this isn't a good idea.

Social care is deteriorating, councils don't have the money to meet the need, it is less money and more need. If your grandfather was in a care home even 2 or 3 years ago the situation was very different. Care homes are closing, councils aren't increasing what they will pay in line with inflation. They really would be foolish to do this.