Daughter wins £127,500 legal claim for caring for mother at home

High Court ruling could pave the way for similar family care payment cases

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published26 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Bern Rogers, from Bristol, has been awarded £127,500 by the High Court for the care she provided to her mother Sheila, who had dementia, over two and a half years at home. The ruling recognises an informal contract between mother and daughter. Her brother, executor of the estate, intends to appeal the amount.

A woman who cared for her elderly mother at home has won a High Court case entitling her to be paid for that care. Bern Rogers, from Bristol, provided round-the-clock care for her mother Sheila from September 2017 until her death in April 2020. She said her mother wanted to be cared for by her daughter rather than pay for professional home care or move into a residential home.

Rogers was initially reported to the police after transferring £100,000 from her mother's estate following her death. She was charged with fraud and theft but found not guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court in 2022. She then pursued a civil claim, and in 2025 a High Court judge ruled there had been an informal contract between mother and daughter for payment of a reasonable sum for the care.

In August 2026, another High Court judge calculated the amount due: £127,500 for 850 days of care. Rogers described her relief as "phenomenal" and said the ruling meant she could get on with her life. She and her husband John, who helped with the care, said the case was a "huge win for carers everywhere".

The executor of the estate, Rogers's brother Andrew Wills, said in a statement that the estate had always been willing to pay Bern's genuine expenses and an extra gratuity in recognition of her efforts. But he said the only agreements he was aware of were for their mother to give Bern £50 per week 'keep' and to ensure she was not out of pocket. He said offers made by the estate were not accepted. The estate intends to appeal the ruling that set the amount of the payment.

Legal experts say the case is significant. Emma Holland, a partner at Stewarts, said it showed the courts are willing to apply ordinary contractual principles to family relationships. Beth Middleton of JMW said the ruling could "open a floodgate of claims". Sarama Dutton of Collyer and Bristow said the judgments acknowledge the broader reality of providing care, including continuous supervision and restrictions on personal freedom.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The legal recognition of informal care contracts within families could encourage more family members to seek payment for care, potentially reducing reliance on formal care services.
The case highlights the financial and emotional toll on unpaid carers and the need for clear agreements when family members take on care roles.
The decision may set a precedent for future claims, especially where there is evidence of an understanding about payment, even without a written contract.

Background

The case involved Bern Rogers, who cared for her mother Sheila after she moved into her home in Bristol in September 2017. Sheila had dementia and other health problems. Rogers provided care described as "relentless" and a "24-hour job". After her mother's death, Rogers took £100,000 from the estate, leading to criminal charges, from which she was acquitted. The civil case centred on whether an informal contract existed. The High Court found that Rogers had agreed with her mother that she would be paid a reasonable sum for her care, and the amount was later set at £127,500 for 850 days.

Key Perspectives

Bern Rogers: Says she had an agreement with her mother that she would be paid for the round-the-clock care, and that her mother was insistent about it. She says the family dispute that followed her mother's death has been "harrowing and deeply sad". She feels vindicated by the ruling and proud that the case might help other family carers. Andrew Wills, executor of the estate: Says the estate was unaware of any contract beyond a £50 per week 'keep' and an undertaking that Bern would not be out of pocket. He says the estate has always been willing to pay genuine expenses and an extra gratuity, but that offers were not accepted. He intends to appeal the amount awarded.

What to Watch

The outcome of the estate's appeal against the amount of £127,500, which could affect whether similar claims are pursued.
Whether the legal profession sees an increase in claims from family members seeking payment for care, as some experts have predicted.
Potential for Parliament or courts to clarify the rules around informal care agreements and the need for written contracts within families.

Sources

Daughter wins £127k claim for caring for mum at home · BBC News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedBern Rogers won a £127,500 legal claim for caring for her mother at home.BBC News: “another High Court judge worked out the amount Bern was due and ruled she was owed £127,500 for the 850 days of care she provided.”
SupportedThe High Court ruling could lead to similar family-care payment claims.BBC News: “Legal experts have told the BBC that while this case does not automatically set a legal precedent, it is likely to lead to similar claims in future.”
SupportedRogers cared for her mother Sheila, who had dementia, for two and a half years.BBC News: “Bern looked after Sheila, who had dementia, for two-and-a-half years.”
SupportedRogers provided round-the-clock care from September 2017 until Sheila died in April 2020.BBC News: “After Sheila moved into Bern's house in Bristol in September 2017, she wanted to be cared for by her daughter”
SupportedIn 2025, a High Court judge ruled that an informal contract existed between mother and daughter for payment for the care.BBC News: “In 2025, a High Court judge ruled she had entered into an informal contract with Sheila for payment of a reasonable sum for her care.”
SupportedIn August 2026, a High Court judge set the payment at £127,500 for 850 days of care.BBC News: “In August this year, another High Court judge worked out the amount Bern was due and ruled she was owed £127,500 for the 850 days of care she provided.”
SupportedThe executor, Rogers’s brother, intends to appeal the ruling setting the amount.BBC News: “the estate intends to lodge an appeal against the second ruling that decided the amount owed.”
Partly supportedRogers and her husband John said the case was a “huge win for carers everywhere.”BBC News: ““It's a huge win for carers everywhere,” John added”
SupportedRogers was charged with fraud and theft and found not guilty by a jury in 2022.BBC News: “Bern was charged. But, at a trial at Bristol Crown Court in 2022, she was found not guilty by a jury.”
SupportedAfter her mother’s death, Rogers transferred £100,000 from her estate and was reported to police.BBC News: “After Sheila died in April 2020, Bern took £100,000 from her estate. It led to her being reported to the police for fraud and theft.”
SupportedThe executor said the estate had always been willing to pay Rogers’s genuine expenses and an extra gratuity for her efforts.BBC News: “The estate has always been willing to pay Bernadette her genuine expenses as well as an additional gratuity in recognition of her efforts for our mother.”
Partly supportedThe executor said he was aware only of agreements for their mother to give Rogers £50 a week as “keep” and ensure she was not out of pocket.BBC News: “The only agreements that we (her siblings) were aware of was for my mother to give Bernadette £50 per week 'keep' and to ensure that Bernadette was not to be out of pocket.”