My wife had a stroke several years ago and has since been diagnosed with vascular dementia. I care for her at home. I have both a health and welfare, and property and finance lasting power of attorney for her (I'm the sole attorney). She and I, as her carer, have been assessed by our local social services. I have declined a financial assessment as my wife has savings of around £80,000 (half of our joint account). She goes one day a week to a local day centre, which we pay for. The complication is that my wife also is a part owner of her previous marital home (worth about £550,000). Her, her daughter and her ex-husband own the property as joint tenants. There's no mortgage. Her ex has lived in the house, by himself, for the last 30 years (he's 87). My wife and I have a good relationship with her ex and we wouldn't want to anything more to upset him.
At long last, my question is, how will this house be treated by the local authority if my wife needs to go into permanent care and I request a financial assessment? Could they demand that the house be sold? Would we need to pay for care out of her savings first or could there be some sort of deferred payment agreement regarding the second house? Any advice and/or suggestions would be much appreciated.
At long last, my question is, how will this house be treated by the local authority if my wife needs to go into permanent care and I request a financial assessment? Could they demand that the house be sold? Would we need to pay for care out of her savings first or could there be some sort of deferred payment agreement regarding the second house? Any advice and/or suggestions would be much appreciated.
