Property Protection Trusts

21st May 2018

Protecting your Property

Property Protection Trusts and Protecting your Property from Care Home Fees

Many people are concerned that as they get older, they may need to move into a care home and the cost of such care can be very expensive. Many people are therefore looking for ways to protect their assets from care home fees.

In recent years “Property Protection Trusts” have been promoted as being the failsafe, guaranteed way of protecting your property from care home fees. Many companies promoting such trusts are unregulated and their products such as Property Protection Trusts are being promoted and sold by sometimes nothing more than a very persuasive salesperson.

It is likely that your home is your largest asset and you should be very cautious before making any decisions with regard to your largest asset and the roof over your head. Indeed a Property Protection Trust may not even protect your home from being sold to pay for care fees or could cause tax implications and therefore it is very important that you take advice from one of our lawyers before making any decisions with regard to such Property Protection Trusts.

These Trusts can be brought to people’s attention either from cold calling, arranging home visits and sometimes even from kiosks or stalls in public areas. The people “selling” Property Protection Trusts to you can be very persuasive and may not be providing you with correct information or all of the information you should have before making a decision regarding your property. Their fees are often excessive.

In some cases, these companies even offer Lasting Powers of Attorney at what they claim to be a reduced rate. People should take caution as these “cheap” Lasting Powers of Attorney often result in being more expensive than our own charges and the companies involved often do not provide the correct advice or the necessary advice for you.

If you have been contacted by someone discussing Property Protection Trusts and would like to discuss this further with one of the lawyers in the Wills and Probate Department of this firm or you have already created a Property Protection Trust but would like to take further advice then please contact one of our lawyers in the Wills and Probate Department:-

Jane Mawer- jane.mawer@maplessolicitors.com
Jamie Dobbs- jamie.dobbs@maplessolicitors.com
Faye Blair- faye.blair@maplessolcitors.com

Or telephone the office 01775 722261 and ask to speak with one of the team.

Stamp Duty Changes from 1st April 2025

In accordance with Government Announcement on the 30th October 2024 from 1st April 2025, there will be several changes coming into effect.
Please note if you complete after 1 April 2025 then these changes could impact the stamp duty rate applicable to you even if you have exchanged contracts already.

Thresholds up to 31 March 2025

SDLT starts to apply when you buy property that costs:
- £250,000 for residential properties
- £425,000 for first-time buyers buying a residential property worth £625,000 or less
- £150,000 for non-residential land and properties

Thresholds from 1 April 2025

SDLT starts to apply when you buy property that costs:
- £125,000 for residential properties
- £300,000 for first-time buyers buying a residential property worth £500,000 or less
- £150,000 for non-residential land and properties

You can visit the gov.uk website and search Stamp Duty Land Tax where you will find further information and a calculator to enable you to calculate the rate and amount payable.

To discuss any Conveyancing matters please contact either Donna Sandison or Laura Day of our Conveyancing Team or telephone the office 01775 722261.

Jamie Dobbs FCILEx

"I should like to take this opportunity to express my very sincere and grateful thanks for Jamie's unfailing helpfulness and efficiency in all aspects of the handling of my late stepmother's estate. Jamie have always replied to my (many!) queries promptly and comprehensively which has been a enormous help throughout what I know can be a fraught and stressful process. Sadly, it is increasingly rare these days to experience the highs standards of service that Jamie has provided."

Gemma Mayer LLB

"I would highly recommend Maples Solicitors, especially Gemma Mayer, for any conveyancing work. The level of support and professionalism was excellent at all times. I also felt if I needed to ask or clarify anything that it was not an issue. Buying and selling a house is stressful enough, but Gemma helped me through it step by step."

Anita Toal LLB BA

"I think you are brilliant. You can use my comments above. You are efficient, friendly and quite clearly very good at what you do. Mainly you don’t leave people hanging around too long for." "So easy to talk to her and she understood what I wanted. She put me at ease and I cant thank her enough"

James Turner BA

James Turner was extremely helpful with our buying process. Everything went smoothly. We are very happy with the level of professionalism demonstrated by the office. Highly recommended solicitors. Will definitely do business with them again.

Daven Naghen LLB

"Daven provided an excellent service, from attending the first interview with me to the final court appearance. He filled me full of confidence that he would defend me to which he did and come out with an excellent outcome in view of my position that I had put myself in."

Faye Blair LLB

Faye was excellent, sensitive and acted very well to the time constraints we faced. Great service and dealt with compassion at such sad times made the process less painful very professional.

Jamie Dobbs GCILEx

Over the last forty years I have cause to deal with many law firms both in a personal and professional capacity, including some ‘top’ London Companies. In all of those dealings I have never found anyone as proactive and so willing to offer help and advice as Jamie Dobbs. During the last two years Jamie guided my parents through the completion of Lasting Powers of Attorney. Helped myself with the use of the LPA and recently dealing with Probate and Estate Administration following their death.

Mike Pepper MA

Mike Pepper gave us excellent advice. He was always most helpful and accommodating giving lucid explanations every step of the way. Thank you Mike.

Donna Sandison FCILEx

Donna has been helpful and professional every step of the way during the process. Always on hand to answer any queries and totally professional and friendly at all times.