We’re in our 70s. Can we release equity from our house to pay care fees if needed?

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Please can you tell me if we can release equity from our house to pay the fees? Care fees would be assessed only on the husband’s income and any assets held in his own name. It is possible to release equity from your home while you are both alive and well, but local authorities do have rules around deprivation of assets. Before considering equity release, it would usually make sense to clear the remaining £8,000 mortgage. The care system already contains protections to prevent one partner being made homeless if the other needs care.