How can I protect my assets from care home fees?

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We are all forced to speculate as part of planning for the future. Health, finances, and families continually evolve, so it’s impossible to map a firm path through life. The temptation may be to focus on the here and now, but uncertainty makes forward-thinking all the more critical. Preparing for what may lie ahead means we and our families will be cared for, which is more important than ever in light of the cost of living crisis.

One of the unknowns is the possibility of moving into a care home in later life. This will be the reality for many of us, but too few address it. Some people are unaware that this is something they should consider. Others choose to put it to the back of their minds because becoming dependent on others for care can raise uncomfortable questions about health and welfare.

But for financial reasons, if nothing else, it’s wise to give future care some serious thought; according to Age UK, a place in a care home costs around £800 per week on average. A nursing home is in the region of £1,100. And while some people will be entitled to funded care, many others won’t. The unfortunate reality for some people who haven’t taken steps to protect assets is that their savings will be wiped out by care home fees, a situation which my mother has seen all too many times as a care home nurse. In such circumstances, the family home may be lost, and children and grandchildren may lose their inheritance.

So, it’s wise to consider the prospect of paying for care later in life. Here are some key things to know:

There are different types of care

‘Care homes’ include residential homes, where carers help with everyday tasks, and nursing homes, offering round-the-clock nursing care. Some people may be suited to residential care, where carers visit the person in their home. A care needs assessment by your local council will help determine the correct type of care for you.

 Whether you’ll have to pay or not depends on how much money you have

The current threshold in England is £23,250. If you have more than that amount to your name, you usually need to pay your care home fees entirely. Your council would carry out a means test, and if you were to qualify for financial support, it would be worked out at that point.

Some people with health-based needs will qualify for NHS continuing healthcare. This means their place in a care home will be funded entirely by the NHS.

Some significant changes to care funding will come into force next year. These include, in England, an £86,000 cap on the amount a person will need to spend on their care.

The value of the family home is sometimes taken into account in a means test

However, it should be excluded if the person’s husband/wife or civil partner continues to live there. Other categories of occupants – for example, a child under 16 – also prevent the house value from being included in the means test.

Pension is another asset that clients often ask about. A means test will take account of a state pension, but where a workplace or private pension benefits the person’s husband/wife or civil partner, only 50% of its value will be considered.

Some people need to sell their home to fund care

Every person and family is different, and there are various options – and costs – regarding the type of care available. Some people have significant savings or investments that can fund their care, meaning their home is untouched. There are all sorts of scenarios that could have a bearing on whether you might need to sell up, and your solicitor will help you get a clear picture of this as part of the planning process.

 Giving away assets is a dangerous game

Clients often ask us: can’t I give things away so that what’s left falls below the £23,250 threshold? While there are circumstances in which it’s okay to make gifts or big purchases, strict rules prevent people from reducing the value of assets to avoid having to pay care home fees. Activity leading up to a means assessment (even if years previously, if the prospect of care was on the horizon) would be scrutinised. It could be deemed ‘a deliberate deprivation of assets’. So, for example, transferring ownership of your house to your children or giving them each a lump sum, ostensibly as ‘early inheritance’, could be caught by the rules.

There are things you can do to put yourself and your family in a better position

Most clients tell us that it’s the thought of losing their family home that they fear most. And there are some ways around having to sell. One possibility is to choose domiciliary care rather than moving to a care home (although this won’t suit everyone). That arrangement could be funded through equity release. Another option could be to rent out your home and use that income to pay your care home fees.

Longer-term planning can involve the use of trusts to protect assets. We advise clients on this as part of the Will-making process and later on as their circumstances change. Various types of trust can be put in place to ringfence property and other assets for your family’s benefit. The key is to start thinking about this now.

It’s never too early to start planning

Planning doesn’t have to mean getting everything nailed right now. Sometimes, it’s about simply getting your head around the things you should consider sorting out in the next few weeks, months and years. That’s a great start, and we’re huge advocates of a step-by-step approach.

Remember that plans aren’t set in stone (it’s pretty easy to change a Will, or to alter a trust arrangement, for example). So, if the fear of committing to arrangements is holding you back from starting to get plans in place, your solicitor will be able to reassure you. We encourage clients to schedule regular review dates so they keep track of their planning and make changes where necessary so that plans are always in line with their wishes and their circumstances. This isn’t onerous, meaning you’re set up for the years ahead.

For tailored advice on protecting your family’s future and inheritance against rising care costs contact Thomas Mansfield’s Wills & Probate team on 0808 256 2917 or email [email protected].

Making probate easier for those you leave behind

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It’s easy to put off doing the things in life that feel overwhelming. Thinking ahead to your family’s future without you, for example. But what if we told you that this can be a positive exercise?

Good planning during your lifetime means loved ones stand to benefit later from the financial and other arrangements you put in place. Doing this gives real peace of mind. You can relax, knowing you’ve provided for the right people and that the practical steps after you have passed away will be easier to work through. The emotional toll on your family won’t be added to by loose ends, missing information, confusion.

When a person passes away, their estate (in most cases) must go through the process of probate. Probate is the key to unlocking assets. It confirms who has authority to ‘administer the estate’ and deal with the person’s personal, financial and other affairs. Until probate is issued, the estate assets cannot be sold or distributed. (Where a person dies without a Will, the process is similar but the intestacy rules apply.)

The idea of going through the finer details of everything a loved one owned, owed, and intended for others can be daunting. As probate specialists, we help families deal with the legal process and practicalities. And we help people prepare so that, when the time comes for their estate to be dealt with, probate is an easier experience for those they care about.

How can you make probate simpler?

Make a Will

A Will sets out your wishes and allows you to control how your estate will be dealt with. It names the ‘executors’ – the people who will administer your estate. It can also set out funeral wishes, beneficiaries, and identify guardians for minor children. These types of details give much-needed certainty and guidance to those left behind.

A Will is not a once-in-a-lifetime document. You should review your Will any time your personal or financial circumstances change. And it’s a good idea to let your executor and/or family know where the Will is stored, as the original document will be needed during the probate process. Without it, the process of applying for probate becomes more complex.

Plan for inheritance tax

Inheritance tax (IHT) must be calculated and paid before the executors can apply for probate. With good planning, you’ll be able to minimise the amount payable so that there’s more value to be distributed from the estate. If you think your estate will be liable to IHT, a financial advisor and a solicitor could help you mitigate the liability.

Get your paperwork in order

Imagine being the person responsible for having to trace another person’s assets. Unfamiliar paperwork and online accounts can make this complicated and time-consuming. So help them out by keeping a record of your assets, together with any usernames and passwords that might be needed by your family. Store these in a safe place.

With the right help, future planning can be straightforward. And it’s always worth the effort. As trusted experts with years of experience in helping people and families before, during and after probate, we see the difference forward-thinking makes. That’s why we work very closely with people to understand their circumstances, share their burden, and support them with the very best legal and practical guidance.

For tailored advice on future planning and probate contact Thomas Mansfield’s Wills & Probate team on 0808 256 2917 or email [email protected].

Your top questions about inheritance tax answered

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Figures released by HMRC show a £1billion increase in inheritance tax collections in 2022. Now standing at a record £7.1billion, the tax is no longer seen as something that applies to the wealthiest in society. In fact, almost a quarter more people are now said to be paying inheritance tax than were in the last financial year.

Increasing house prices have led to more families exceeding the inheritance tax threshold. This means inheritance tax planning is something everyone should consider and factor into their financial affairs. It is important to understand how it can affect loved ones and to explore strategies aimed at reducing inheritance tax liability.

Our FAQs provide a starting point with information to help you take important steps in reducing the amount of inheritance tax you may have to pay from your estate.

What is inheritance tax?
Inheritance tax is a tax on a person’s belongings when they pass away. It falls to be paid to HMRC out of the estate funds. The personal representatives are responsible for ensuring any inheritance tax liability is settled with HMRC.

Does inheritance tax apply to everyone?
No. Whether inheritance tax is payable depends on the value of the person’s estate and how their estate is disposed of. Tax may apply if a person’s estate is valued at more than £325,000. This is the minimum tax-free allowance that every individual is entitled to and is currently frozen until April 2028.

When is inheritance tax not payable?
An estate valued at less than the inheritance threshold of £325,000 won’t attract tax. If an estate is valued above the threshold, no tax is typically owed if everything exceeding £325,000 goes to the deceased’s spouse, civil partner, charity, or community amateur sports club.

How much is inheritance tax?
The amount of inheritance payable will depend on the size of a person’s estate and what allowances they have available. The standard rate of inheritance tax is 40%. This percentage is only applied to the value of the estate that exceeds the tax-free allowance that is available. If an estate is valued at £450,000 and only has the basic tax-free allowance, it would be subject to a 40% charge on the amount exceeding £325,000, i.e. £125,000 would be subject to 40% tax. The 40% rate can be reduced to 36% if the Will leaves 10% or more of the net estate to charity.

What does the nil-rate band mean?
The nil rate band is a tax-free allowance that every individual is entitled to and is currently set at £325,000. As well as the nil rate band, a person’s estate may be able to claim the residence nil rate band. The residence nil rate band is an additional threshold which is available where the deceased’s home is passing to a direct descendant. The residence nil rate band is currently set at £175,000. If the deceased’s estate is valued at £2 million or over the threshold is tapered down so the relief may only be available in part. See below for how much the threshold is tapered down by.

Does the £325,000 threshold apply to all estates?
Yes, and because of the availability of the additional residence nil-rate band, the overall allowance can rise to £500,000 where a deceased person leaves their home to a direct descendent and the estate is worth less than £2 million. For estates worth more than £2 million, the residence nil-rate band is reduced by £1 for every £2 over that £2 million mark.

Is it a case of ‘use it or lose it’ with the nil-rate bands?
No, unused elements of a nil-rate band and residence nil rate band can transfer to the deceased person’s spouse or civil partner. The new cumulative amount will further reduce the overall inheritance tax liability. This means that if a person dies leaving their entire estate to their spouse, the spouse could end up with a tax-free allowance of £1 million. It is also worth noting that a widow who has remarried may be able to use three nil rate bands in their inheritance tax planning.

What items are considered assets?
An asset refers to all the belongings owned by the deceased. Some of these will be obvious, such as their home, their money, investments, jewellery, car. Other assets may be less obvious, such as life insurance, money owed to the deceased, property held in trust, certain gifts given, and jointly owned possessions. It can be challenging to compile a comprehensive list of a person’s assets after they have passed away, as they may not have kept a detailed inventory, so this process can take time. While the value of most assets are taken into account for inheritance tax purposes, there are some exceptions to this. Certain life insurance policies and pensions are set up to fall out of a person’s estate for the purposes of inheritance tax.

How do you value an estate?
Valuing an estate can be a complex and time-consuming process that involves identifying, listing, and appraising various assets. Seeking expert help is often necessary, especially for evaluating valuable antiques and properties. In situations involving trusts and investments, professionals with expertise in law and finance are typically consulted for their specialised knowledge. Valuing an estate involves considering not only the assets but also the debts and liabilities associated with it. Any debts will be settled from the estate.
Valuing an estate accurately is essential in order to avoid overpaying inheritance tax. It is also important when disposing of assets during the estate administration period. Undervaluing an asset and subsequently selling it could trigger Capital Gains Tax. Determining the value of liabilities and debts at the date of death is particularly important for taxable estates. These values can be deducted from the gross value of the estate, reducing the overall value for inheritance tax purposes. Any debts that arise after the date of death, except for funeral costs which are deemed a pre-death expense for inheritance tax purposes, cannot be deducted from the gross value of the estate for inheritance purposes. However, they still need to be noted as a liability repayable from the estate.

What is the ‘seven-year rule’?
According to this rule, if a person gifts an asset to someone else and survives for at least seven years after making the gift, it will generally be exempt from inheritance tax upon their death. However, if a person passes away within seven years of making the gift, it may still be subject to inheritance tax. For example, you gift your daughter £20,000 or forgive the loan you provided for her house deposit; for a period of seven years, that amount is still considered part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes. If you pass away within those seven years, it will count for inheritance tax purposes. Tapering relief may be available if the value falling back to the estate exceeds the tax-free allowances available to the estate. However, if you live beyond those seven years, the gift is no longer counted for inheritance tax purposes. There are some exceptions to this rule, with the most prominent being gifts between married couples or between civil partners in the UK, which are exempt from inheritance tax. Additionally, there are specific allowances that can apply and mean certain types of gifts will not attract tax. These considerations are crucial in your financial planning.

If an estate is liable to inheritance tax when does it need to be paid?
Inheritance tax is due by the end of the sixth month after the person’s death. i.e. if a person passes away on 12 January 2023 the tax would be due by the end of July 2023. Any inheritance tax must be paid in full before Grant of Representation can be issued by the Court. The exception to this is where the assets qualify for the instalment option. If the inheritance tax is not paid in time, HMRC will charge a penalty for late filing.

How do I pay the inheritance tax if I do not have access to funds?
Most banks and financial institutions will release funds to pay inheritance tax. A form is sent to the bank making the request and funds are released directly to HMRC. Where there is a property that is yet to sell, you can apply to pay the inheritance tax in instalments which will bring the initial amount of tax due down. The instalment option will only apply to the value attributable to the property and daily interest will be applied until the full value of tax is settled. If there are insufficient or no funds available to settle the first instalment of inheritance tax, you may be able to get HMRC to agree for the Court to issue the Grant on loan pending the property being sold.