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Care fee and later-life planning in London

Later-life planning considers how care could be paid for, access to funds and who could make decisions. No will, trust or property transfer guarantees that a home will be disregarded in a care assessment. Get appropriate advice on costs, benefits and the consequences of any proposed arrangement.

Property, international connections and people who depend on you

London estate planning can involve a main home, investment property, pensions and business assets held in different ways. Start with ownership and beneficiary information rather than assuming all assets pass under a will. A coordinated review can identify issues that one document alone would miss.

If you or your beneficiaries have assets or connections outside England and Wales, say so at the outset. Overseas property, residence and existing foreign wills can require specialist advice in more than one jurisdiction. Do not assume an English will or LPA is automatically effective everywhere.

Trust discussions should begin with a specific objective: supporting someone vulnerable, managing an inheritance for younger beneficiaries or balancing family needs. Trustees take on real responsibilities, and trusts can create tax and reporting obligations. Compare the options and costs before deciding.

Questions to discuss before deciding

• Who would make financial and welfare decisions if needed?
• What funds and support could be available for care?
• Could a proposed transfer create tax, control or assessment risks?

Prepare for your consultation

• UK and overseas assets, with ownership and residence details
• Pension nominations, insurance policies and existing wills
• Any beneficiaries needing extra support or managed inheritances
• Executors and attorneys able to act when needed

Our process

• Review of your current asset position
• Assessment of care fee exposure
• Development of protection strategy
• Implementation of recommended solutions
• Guidance on local authority processes
• Ongoing support and review

What is included?

• Understanding how ownership and care assessments interact
• Reviewing family objectives alongside care funding needs
• Discussing the risks of proposed arrangements
• Planning for NHS continuing healthcare
• Advice on local authority assessments
• Long-term care funding options

See indicative guide prices; ask for a quote confirming scope and separate third-party charges.

More estate planning guidance for London

Speak to Inherita

Our published local office: 2 York House, Langston Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3TQ. Call to arrange an appointment. Telephone and video consultations are available.

Call 020 8798 0270 · Ask about your estate plan · Request a free 45-minute consultation

Nearby service areas

• Will writing and estate planning in Essex
• Will writing and estate planning in Loughton
• Will writing and estate planning in Chigwell
• Will writing and estate planning in Buckhurst Hill

Official guidance

• GOV.UK: making a will
• GOV.UK: lasting powers of attorney
• GOV.UK: inheritance tax thresholds and allowances
• GOV.UK: trusts and taxes
• GOV.UK: applying for probate
• GOV.UK: inheritance when someone dies without a will

General information for England and Wales, not personalised legal or tax advice. Prepared by Inherita; content reviewed 7 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Can I arrange an estate-planning consultation in London remotely?

Yes. Inherita offers telephone and video consultations for London clients. Our published local office is in Loughton, Essex; we do not list a branch in every London borough.

Does making a will remove inheritance tax on a London property?

No. Inheritance tax depends on the estate, available allowances, beneficiaries and other circumstances. A will records your wishes and may form part of planning, but does not itself make the estate tax-free.

Can one will cover property in more than one country?

Sometimes, but cross-border estates need careful advice. Different countries may have different succession, tax and document requirements. Explain overseas assets and any existing foreign wills before changing your plan.

Can a property trust guarantee that I will not pay care fees?

No. Authorities can assess the circumstances of transfers, including possible deliberate deprivation of assets. Trusts also have ownership, tax and administration consequences. Do not proceed on the promise of guaranteed protection.

Can a trust guarantee protection from care fees?

No. Trusts and property transfers do not guarantee that assets will be disregarded in a care assessment. Councils can consider deliberate deprivation of assets. Understand the tax, ownership and assessment implications before proceeding.

Is it too late to protect assets if I need care now?

There may still be options, but planning is most effective when done early. Contact us for an assessment of your situation.

How are care funding contributions assessed?

The assessment depends on circumstances, care needs and the applicable rules. Some assets can be treated differently or disregarded. Ask the responsible authority about the current assessment rather than relying on a single threshold.

Does transferring assets well in advance avoid care assessment risks?

Not necessarily. The reasons for a transfer and the circumstances can matter, not just how long ago it happened. Obtain appropriate advice rather than treating a trust or gift as a guaranteed solution.