Deliberate Deprivation of Assets

If someone intentionally reduces their assets - such as money, property or income - so these won’t be included in the financial assessment for care home fees, this is known as ‘deprivation of assets’. If your local council concludes you have deliberately reduced your assets to avoid paying care home fees, they may still calculate your fees as if you still owned the assets. – Age UK  

It is really important in managing finances for another person that you do not deprive them of assets. Acting on behalf of another requires you to act in their best interests, although sometimes it is not always clear what this means. Where guidance or permission is required, Lawson West can help attorneys and deputies to apply to the Court for such permission or guidance on behalf of their loved one, to ensure that they do not fall foul of Deliberate Deprivation of Assets.

If you would like advice on Deliberate Deprivation of Assets, please contact the Court of Protection Team on 0116 212 1000