How would the OP have no house? Council care homes add up your assets to calculate your payments if any. Many couples are now owners as Tenants in Common, and care home fees can only be calculated on assets of the person in care, not the immediate family. It depends on the ages of the parents and their health. If the parents are ageing with ill health, perhaps a long term illness, then the council may find that this has been done on purpose, However it is up to council to prove this . It also depends on the value of the 1/4 share.