Care home fees can be a real burden if you’re not prepared. Switalskis’ wills and probate team is here to help you plan for the future and potential care home fees while protecting the assets you want to leave for others.
The average UK cost for a care home is £949 a week, and in a nursing home it is £1,267. This often eats into a large proportion of what most people would like to leave behind for their loved ones. Our solicitors can help you assess what is most important to you and help ring-fence some of your assets for your loves ones.
To get started, give us a call us on 0800 138 0458 or get in touch via our website.
Later life planning is complex and emotive, but we’re here to help. At Switalskis, we’re more than just solicitors, we’re empathetic and here to listen to your circumstances, needs and wishes and help you plan for the future.
Our wills and probate team will advise you on the best options for your situation. They’ll explain the different options to you without jargon so you can make an informed decision on what’s best for you. You’ll never be left unsure, because we’re committed to easing your concerns and answering your questions.
If you receive residential care, it’s likely that you will have to pay some or all of your care fees, which can be close to £1,000 a week. Unless you have enough money saved, you may have to sell your home to pay, meaning your loved ones will get less inheritance and your state support entitlement will be reduced. If you have care fee planning in place, then some of your assets can be protected from care fees. This would mean that, while you may still need to contribute towards your care fees, some of your assets would be ring-fenced.
Yes, there are two options for financial support towards care fees. Local councils can pay some or most of your care fees, but this is based on a financial assessment. The assessment would look at your income and capital at the time you need a care home to decide if you qualify for help.
If you need a care home due to health problems, you may be eligible for NHS funding. However, it is best to not rely on this as a source of funding, as there are strict requirements for when it will apply. It is therefore best to be prepared that you will have to contribute towards your care.
If you own a home, then this may be included in your financial assessment for your care. However, this is dependent on a number of factors, including whether a spouse is still living in the property.
If you own your home with another person (e.g. a partner or spouse), then we recommend that you book an appointment with us to discuss if care fee planning would be appropriate. In many circumstances, it is possible to prepare wills which allow the surviving partner to continue living in the house, but prevent them from inheriting your half of the house outright. This means that, if they receive residential care after you have died, your half of the house would not be used to fund their care – it would be ring-fenced for your beneficiaries.
Giving away your assets to reduce your liability and protect your loved ones’ inheritance seems like an easy solution. If the council thinks you have done this in order to avoid or minimise your contribution to care fees, they can assess you as though you still have the money or property that you have gifted. There is no specific time limit for gifts, meaning that the council may look at gifts made a number of years ago, if they think they were made to deliberately avoid paying care fees.
In some circumstances, it is possible to ring-fence part of your assets for your loved ones. This can be done as part of your will so that you know your loved ones will still be cared for. Our solicitors will guide you through the options so you can make an informed decision. It is always best to plan for care fees before care is likely to be needed. This is because most care fee planning options are only effective if made before you become unwell.
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The International Day of Persons with Disabilities encourages us to recognise the rights, experiences and needs of disabled people. For families who care for someone with a lifelong disability it’s often a worry how they will cope if you’re not there to protect them. Carers spend so much of their time worrying about the things they need to do for their loved one they forget about what they need to do for themselves.
If you're preparing for future and potential care home fees, and need straightforward, expert guidance, look no further than Switalskis.
Care home fees can be a burden if you're not prepared. But don't fret, we're here to help. We'll answer all your questions, put the legal jargon into plain English, and keep you updated. This way, you're always in the know and can make decisions confidently.
Planning for potential care fee costs can be overwhelming, especially when you're considering your family's future. We listen, understand your specific needs and give tailored advice. You're not just another case to us; you're someone planning for a significant life event, and we want to make it as hassle-free as possible.
When it comes to later life planning, you want a team that knows its stuff. With plenty of experience and a strong track record, we're here to guide you through the process smoothly.
We're fully committed to getting you the best outcome while making sure your rights are well protected. From our initial conversation to finalising your later life planning, we'll keep you informed so you always know what's happening.
Curious to know more about planning for later life? Give us a call on 0800 1380 458 or get in touch through our website.
