Elderly Parents Separated but not divorced. Will my Dad be responsible for Mum's care home fees?

[TheAirbender]

Just as the above says really.

My elderly parents separated around 10 years ago but have never divorced. Sold their property and split everything 50:50 (including a final salary pension, their flat, savings etc).

We are now approaching the time where my Mum is likely to need a care home and I increasingly concerned about the fact that they have never legally separated their finances.

Does anyone know what might happen in this situation?

Your mum will be assessed on an individual basis. If she still had any joint accounts they would normally be assumed to be shared equally so 50% of the balance would be deemed to belong to her.

Presumably they are each fully independent of each other? She doesn't receive any income from your dad?

The final salary pension is paid monthly into Mum's account, then she pays 50% to Dad. That is a worry, right? thank you

Who is the actual pension scheme member? If mum, then that's ok as the 50% paid away to dad can continue as now. If it's dad's pension then the Local Authority would include that income payment in her assessment of income/assets.

Other practical points - has she made a Will and has she done Lasting Powers of Attorney for both Financial Affairs and for Health & Welfare?