Mother's house in joint names?

xylophone

If she requires care in later life, the council may force her to sell the house to pay for it. Could we plan ahead for that by putting the house in joint names

 The "significant operative purpose" of putting the house in joint names would be  "in order to obtain or increase entitlement to means tested benefits"? 

This is wilful deprivation of assets.

https://www.carehome.co.uk/advice/deprivation-of-assets-to-avoid-paying-for-care-home-fees

wilfred30

lookstraightahead said:

If this did all work out for you and there was some legal way of doing this, how would your mum pay for her care if she did need it? With an asset she is likely to have more choice of care. 
Having been through losing 2 in laws recently who were both fit and healthy until into their eighties but then needed care, I was thankful that they had their homes to help fund it.

Well, she wouldn't be able to, that would be left to the taxpayer and, as such, she would just be put into a Council run care home. Rather her than me!

tooldle

The father of a friend of mine managed to put his house into a trust of some sort, to avoid having to pay his own way in the event of care being needed. The aim was purely selfish in that he felt angered by others receiving 'care services' for free. Sadly the individual concerned did need residential care, and he was placed where the council concerned could find an vacancy. Then the recriminations started. Why were his pensions being taken towards the costs, why was he only left with with less than £30 a week to spend, why wasn't he in a better home, why wasn't he closer to family, why did the relatives have to obey visiting rules etc etc. A perfect case of 'be careful what you wish for'. 
My experience is the flip side. My mum lives in a care home. She self funds and hence was able to choose the home that best suited her own personal preferences. She can spend what she likes, when she likes. 

lookstraightahead

tooldle said:

The father of a friend of mine managed to put his house into a trust of some sort, to avoid having to pay his own way in the event of care being needed. The aim was purely selfish in that he felt angered by others receiving 'care services' for free. Sadly the individual concerned did need residential care, and he was placed where the council concerned could find an vacancy. Then the recriminations started. Why were his pensions being taken towards the costs, why was he only left with with less than £30 a week to spend, why wasn't he in a better home, why wasn't he closer to family, why did the relatives have to obey visiting rules etc etc. A perfect case of 'be careful what you wish for'. 
My experience is the flip side. My mum lives in a care home. She self funds and hence was able to choose the home that best suited her own personal preferences. She can spend what she likes, when she likes. 

Absolutely this. 

wilfred30

tooldle said:

The father of a friend of mine managed to put his house into a trust of some sort, to avoid having to pay his own way in the event of care being needed. The aim was purely selfish in that he felt angered by others receiving 'care services' for free. Sadly the individual concerned did need residential care, and he was placed where the council concerned could find an vacancy. Then the recriminations started. Why were his pensions being taken towards the costs, why was he only left with with less than £30 a week to spend, why wasn't he in a better home, why wasn't he closer to family, why did the relatives have to obey visiting rules etc etc. A perfect case of 'be careful what you wish for'. 
My experience is the flip side. My mum lives in a care home. She self funds and hence was able to choose the home that best suited her own personal preferences. She can spend what she likes, when she likes. 

Karma certainly came knocking on their door 

youth_leader

I'm helping my 83 year old aunt, she is looking at her future options, but is nervous to get her flat valued right now because of Covid.  I think she'll probably get about £100K for it.  I've been looking at sheltered housing called Abbeyfield, it is £1K per month, her house sale funds would only buy her 8 years.  I need to investigate more options for her, working on the premis she could live to 100.  I assume she would have to move out when her money runs out.  

sammyjammy

youth_leader said:

I'm helping my 83 year old aunt, she is looking at her future options, but is nervous to get her flat valued right now because of Covid.  I think she'll probably get about £100K for it.  I've been looking at sheltered housing called Abbeyfield, it is £1K per month, her house sale funds would only buy her 8 years.  I need to investigate more options for her, working on the premis she could live to 100.  I assume she would have to move out when her money runs out.  

Does she not have any income?

lookstraightahead

youth_leader said:

I'm helping my 83 year old aunt, she is looking at her future options, but is nervous to get her flat valued right now because of Covid.  I think she'll probably get about £100K for it.  I've been looking at sheltered housing called Abbeyfield, it is £1K per month, her house sale funds would only buy her 8 years.  I need to investigate more options for her, working on the premis she could live to 100.  I assume she would have to move out when her money runs out.  

Does she get a pension etc as this will help - then the money from the house will last longer. 

youth_leader

She's very cagey about her money sammyjammy, she said she has a small state pension as she didn't pay full stamp, as well as £800 per quarter from a private pension.  I'm just about to exchange on my bungalow  and haven't been able to give her my full attention, as soon as I'm moved I'll be able to help more. At the moment I'm just buying her a new bed to make her happy.