If been left a house in will do you have to sell it if they go into care home?

In many jurisdictions, a person's assets, including real estate, may be used to help pay for long-term care expenses, such as nursing home care or assisted living. However, there are a number of factors that can affect whether a house will actually need to be sold to pay for care. These factors include:

The value of the home: If a person has significant other assets that can be used to pay for care, the home may not need to be sold.

The person's income and savings: If a person has sufficient income and savings to pay for care, the home may not need to be sold.

The person's spouse: In many jurisdictions, a spouse's assets and income are also considered when determining how to pay for long-term care. This means that if a spouse has sufficient assets or income, the house may not need to be sold.

Government programs: There are a number of government programs that can help people pay for long-term care. These programs may provide financial assistance or cover the cost of care directly. If a person qualifies for a government program, they may not need to sell their home.

Medicaid: Medicaid is a government program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals and families. Medicaid will pay for nursing home care if a person meets certain eligibility criteria. In most states, Medicaid will place a lien on a person's home if they receive nursing home care for more than six months. This means that if a person dies or goes into nursing home for a long period of time and has no spouse, the state will attempt to recover the cost of care by selling the home.

It is important to note that the requirements for selling a house to pay for long-term care vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. It is also important to remember that there are other options besides selling a home, such as obtaining government assistance or utilizing community resources. If you are concerned about having to sell your home to pay for long-term care, it is important to speak with an elder law attorney to learn about your options and protect your assets.