My aunt promised to leave me her flat in her will because I’ve been looking after her. Unfortunately she’s now had to go into a nursing home. I have paid the £500 service charge on the flat. If social services make her sell it, will I be able to claim this money back?
Social services will probably put a charge on the flat so that they will receive payment for the care home fees when it comes to be sold. She will be allowed to retain some equity in the property, and if you haven’t already been reimbursed for paying the service charge at the time of your aunt’s death you should be able to apply to her executors for your £500. Your aunt could still leave you the flat; you could then choose to pay the fees owing or sell the flat to pay them.