I don’t need a Will, the 7-year-rule will protect my kids from care home fees

Unfortunately, the 7-year-rule has nothing to do with care home fees. The 7-year-rule is about gifting away your estate to protect from inheritance tax. If you gift something away to anyone, including your family or children with the intention that a care home won’t be able to get it, then this is called a deprivation of assets. Local authorities across England and Wales have a wide range of legal powers to overturn transfers that are considered deprivation of assets, even those that were made over 7 years ago. However, there are provisions that you can include in your Will that can protect your property and your money for your family’s benefit that can protect a significant proportion of what you leave behind.